Cat touching during prayer - can I move him without invalidating salat?

Question

I was taught as a kid to raise my finger when I'm reciting the shahadat and then stopped practicing Islam and now in my thirties trying to start practicing it again and starting to do the 5-daily namaz.

However, I am finding that my cat sees the raised finger when I'm on the ground as a perfect time to give my finger a face rub.

Based on hadith, I understand his actions (he's a male cat) don't violate the wudu or prayer but can I move him off of my prayer mat while reciting the next part or should I just let him be, ignore him and focus on prayer?

Would me reverting to wordly affairs during prayer to remove a worldly distraction while reciting the words and after having made niyat invalidate the prayer?

Ammar Naseer · Answer

I think I've inferred an answer by relating the cat to the example of Prophet's grandchildren who played on him and got on his back when he was praying.

I should let him do what he wants without myself reacting much and especially not verbally but physical touching should be okay to move him.

I should keep praying as I have made niyat already and allow him to touch and play with me during salat without playing back with him.

Eslam Mohsen · Answer

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “He interrupts the prayer of the woman, the donkey and the dog * as a examples 
so if a cat touch you while praying then there is no invalidating if happened

Cat touching during prayer - can I move him without invalidating salat?

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