The dangers of cracking your knuckles in mosques: a medical warning and tips to stop

Rheumatology consultant Dr. Diaa Hussein warned of the noticeable increase in the phenomenon of “knuckle cracking” among young people and adolescents, pointing out the danger of this behavioral habit spreading from homes to places of worship, which constitutes a violation of public morals and a disturbance to worshippers.

The physiological mechanism of sound: What happens inside the joint?

To understand the nature of this behavior, Dr. Diaa explained that the distinctive sound we hear when cracking our knuckles is caused by a physical process known as cavitation. The synovial fluid between the joints contains dissolved gases such as nitrogen, oxygen, and carbon dioxide. When a joint is suddenly stretched or bent, the joint capsule expands, creating negative pressure that causes these gases to form bubbles that burst, producing the cracking sound. While this process may provide temporary relief and an increased range of motion, its compulsive repetition is what raises medical concern.

Between medicine and customs: The debate over health risks

Amidst the ongoing medical debate surrounding the harmful effects of this habit, the consultant reviewed the results of conflicting global studies, citing the famous experiment of Dr. Donald Unger, who cracked the fingers of his left hand for fifty years while neglecting his right to demonstrate that it did not cause arthritis. However, Dr. Diaa emphasized that the absence of inflammation does not guarantee complete safety; other research indicates that excessive cracking can, in the long run, lead to weakened grip strength , joint swelling, and damage to the soft tissues and ligaments responsible for bone stability, particularly in individuals with a genetic predisposition or pre-existing joint problems.

The religious and social dimension: a disruption to reverence

The discussion then turned to behavioral issues within mosques, where Dr. Diaa asserted that the practice of cracking one's knuckles during prayer is entirely incompatible with the tranquility and solemnity required in the houses of God. He cited the narration attributed to Ibn Abbas (may God be pleased with him), who explicitly forbade cracking one's knuckles during prayer, due to the noise it creates, which distracts the worshipper and disturbs those around him, thus detracting from the spiritual purpose of worship in achieving focus and peace.

Psychological motives and proposed solutions

The consultant linked addiction to this habit to an individual's psychological state, explaining that the brain may program this behavior as an involuntary mechanism to release tension and anxiety, or as a way to cope with boredom and poor concentration. To break this habit, Dr. Diaa advised following practical steps, including:

• Identifying psychological triggers (such as stress) and attempting to address them.
• Keeping your hands busy with healthy movement alternatives, such as using rubber stress balls, helps strengthen wrist muscles instead of weakening them.
• Engaging in manual hobbies such as drawing, writing, or spinning a pen can distract from the urge to click.

He concluded by emphasizing that gradually eliminating this habit ensures the safety of the hands and maintains the health of the joints and ligaments in the long term, calling on young people to replace harmful habits with practices that promote physical and mental health.