Continuation: What is the ruling on closing the eyes in prayer for the sake of khushu'? I have heard that Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allah have mercy on him) holds that it is permissible.
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The questioner : The questioner says: Your Eminence, what is the ruling on closing the eyes in prayer for the sake of khushu'? I have heard that Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allah have mercy on him) holds that it is permissible, and it may be recommended for the sake of khushu'?
The Shaykh : Yes. If something occurs that necessitates closing the eyes, there is no harm, such as if a person enters prayer and then children start playing in front of him, or he notices something that distracts him from his prayer; in that case, there is no harm in closing his eyes. However, without a reason, if he closes his eyes and feels that he becomes more focused, that is a whisper from Satan, because closing the eyes in prayer is disliked. It was said that this is the practice of the Zoroastrians when they worshiped fire. So, closing the eyes is subject to detail: if it is due to a new occurrence and you fear that your gaze will follow it, causing you to be distracted from your prayer, then what should you do? Close your eyes. But closing your eyes for the sake of khushu' is an error. Yes.
The Shaykh : Yes. If something occurs that necessitates closing the eyes, there is no harm, such as if a person enters prayer and then children start playing in front of him, or he notices something that distracts him from his prayer; in that case, there is no harm in closing his eyes. However, without a reason, if he closes his eyes and feels that he becomes more focused, that is a whisper from Satan, because closing the eyes in prayer is disliked. It was said that this is the practice of the Zoroastrians when they worshiped fire. So, closing the eyes is subject to detail: if it is due to a new occurrence and you fear that your gaze will follow it, causing you to be distracted from your prayer, then what should you do? Close your eyes. But closing your eyes for the sake of khushu' is an error. Yes.