589. Where Should I Look When I’m Offering Salaah?

By Asma bint Shameem 

When we pray we should *look at the place of SAJDAH* (prostration) *throughout the Salaah* EXCEPT when we sit in *tashahhud*; then we should look at the *tip of our index finger*. That’s the opinion of the majority of the scholars. 

*PROOF:*

Our Mother Aaishah radhi Allaahu anhaa said:

“The Messenger of Allaah Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam entered the Ka’bah and his gaze did not go beyond the site of his prostration until he came out.” 

(Ibn Hibbaan- saheeh by al-Albaani)

And:

Abd-Allaah ibn al-Zubayr said: 

“When the Messenger of Allaah sat during the prayer, he would place his left foot between his thigh and calf, and tuck his right foot underneath him, and place his left hand on his left knee, and place his right hand on his right thigh, and point with his finger.” (Muslim)

In another narration, he said:

“And he should not let his gaze go beyond his pointing (right) finger.” 

(Abu Dawood- saheeh by al-Albaani)

Abdullaah ibn Umar said:

“He (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) put his right hand on his thigh and pointed with the finger that is next to the thumb towards the qiblah, and he fixed his gaze on it.” 

Then he said: 

“This is what I saw the Messenger of Allaah Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam doing.” (al-Nasaa’i- saheeh by al-Albaani) 

Imaam Ahmad said:

“Proper focus and humility (khushoo’) in prayer means that (the worshipper) should fix his gaze on the place of prostration”

Our Mother Aaishah radhi Allaahu anhaa said:

“I asked Allaah's Messenger Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam about looking hither and thither in as-Salaah. 

He replied, "It is a way of *stealing* by which Shaytaan takes away (a portion) from the Salaah of a person." (al-Bukhaari) 

Shaikh Ibn Baaz said:

“The Sunnah is for him to look at the place of his prostration whilst he is standing and also when bowing. 

But when he is sitting, he should look at his pointing finger when he sits for the tashahhud or between the two prostrations; he should look at his pointing finger, as is mentioned in the Sunnah from the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam.” 

[Majmoo‘ Fataawa Ibn Baaz (29/241)]

The scholars of the Standing Committee said:

“When doing rukoo’, the worshipper should also look at the place of his sujood. 

When he is reciting the tashahhud, he should look at the finger with which he is pointing. 

When he is doing sujood he should look at the ground directly beneath his eyes.”

[ Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah li’l-Buhooth al-‘Ilmiyyah wa’l-Iftaa, 7/25)]

However if there’s a NEED or valid reason, it is permissible to look at the Imaam or at something else, while still facing the qiblah and that does not invalidate the Salaah. 

Imaam al-Bukhaari said:

"A person looks to the place of his prostration in Salaah, and if there is a NEED to glance or look away, a need related directly to the salaah, or a need to defend oneself or one's family or property, then it is permissible to do so, without turning away from the qiblah. 

And if he glances at something or someone *without need*, ie. out of forgetfulness or curiosity, and then returns his gaze back to his place of prostration, then this is not something desired however it does not nullify the person's Salaah."  

(Saheeh al-Bukhaari, kitaab al-athaan Chapter 93/94)

 Haafidh Ibn Hajr said: 

“It is possible that the origin of the one behind the Imaam is to gaze at the place of the prostration because that is desirable for Khushoo’ except if he needs to look at what the Imaam is doing to follow his example.” [Fathul-Bar (2/233)]

And Allaah knows best.