and al-Sha'bi, al-Mughira ibn Hakim (86), and Ishaq. Abu Hanifa and al-Shafi'i considered it disliked because it distracts from the khushu' (humility) of the prayer which one is commanded to observe. Our proof is that it is the consensus [of the Successors (al-Tabi'un); for it was narrated from those whom we have named without any disagreement in their era, so it constitutes] (87) a consensus. Ahmad only disliked (88) (89) counting the tasbih [without counting the verses] (90); because what was transmitted from those we mentioned was the counting of verses. [Ahmad said: "As for counting verses, we have heard of it, but as for counting the tasbih, we have not heard of it." Al-Hasan used to see no harm in counting verses in prayer] (91). He disliked counting anything else [in prayer] (92). [And because the tasbih follows in succession due to its brevity (93), its counting becomes consecutive, thus it becomes a frequent, consecutive action, unlike the counting of verses] (92). There is no harm in gesturing in prayer with the hand or the eye, [as was narrated by Ibn 'Umar and Anas] (94), that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) used to gesture in prayer (95). [Al-Daraqutni narrated the hadith of Anas with a sound isnad. From Jabir, who said: "The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) sent me on an errand, and I caught up with him while he was praying. I greeted him, and he gestured to me. When he finished, he called me and said: 'You greeted me just now while I was praying' "] (96). There is no harm in killing a snake or a scorpion