What is the ruling on speech made while overwhelmed (Maghlub 'ala al-Kalam)?
Chapter on the Two Prostrations of Forgetfulness
Al-Mughni
Book of Prayer
Primary text
Speech that occurs when one is overwhelmed does not invalidate the prayer, provided it is involuntary. This includes involuntary utterances from yawning, breathing out (saying 'Ah'), coughing that produces a letter, accidental deviation from Quranic recitation to non-Quranic words, or uncontrollable weeping. Imam Ahmad affirmed that if weeping occurs and cannot be stopped, the prayer is not invalidated, citing 'Umar's weeping. This is because the speech is not attributable to the person, and thus no ruling regarding speech applies to it. The view that involuntary speech from yawning, such as saying 'Ah Ah', invalidates the prayer is attributed to Al-Qadi, but this is interpreted to apply only when the speaker is not overwhelmed, contrary to Ahmad's practice.
Supporting text
If a person speaks while sleeping, Ahmad refrained from a definite answer, but it is probable the prayer is not invalidated because the pen is lifted from the sleeping person, and no ruling attaches to their speech; for instance, divorce or admission made in sleep would not be binding. If a person is coerced into speaking, one opinion suggests it is treated like forgetfulness because the Prophet mentioned forgiveness for what one is compelled to do. Al-Qadi favored this view, stating the action is not attributed to the speaker. However, the sound opinion is that the prayer is invalidated because the speaker intentionally committed an act that invalidates prayer, analogous to being coerced to perform four rak'ahs for Fajr prayer or two bowings in one rak'ah. This is because forgetfulness occurs frequently and is hard to avoid, unlike coercion, and increasing or omitting a prostration due to forgetfulness does not invalidate the prayer, which is not the case for coercion.