Is it permissible to swallow food that remains between the teeth during prayer? Does it invalidate the prayer?
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1 Answer
Peace be upon you and God's mercy and blessings.
Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Sistani (may God protect him):
Prayer is invalidated by eating and drinking, even in small amounts, if they erase the form of prayer; this is a strict precaution. However, it is permissible to swallow dissolved sugar in the mouth and food remnants. If one eats or drinks forgetfully, and it reaches the point of erasing the form of prayer, then their prayer is invalidated as mentioned earlier. If it does not reach that point, then it is permissible.
Source: Minhaj al-Salihin, Vol. 1, Rules of Salutation and Other Greetings in Prayer, etc., Section 7
Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Khamenei (may God protect him):
Eating and drinking during prayer invalidate it, whether they are small or large amounts. However, it is permissible to swallow small remnants left in the mouth or to suck on a piece of sugar that has a little left in the mouth. If one eats or drinks forgetfully or out of negligence, their prayer is not invalidated, provided it does not erase the form of prayer.
Source: Message on Prayer and Fasting, Prayer, Invalidators of Prayer, Article 341
May you be successful in all good.