Is it inferred from the hadith that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) looked forward and did not look at the place of prostration?
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The questioner : May Allah reward you. Is it inferred from the hadith that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) in prayer looked forward and not at the place of his prostration?
The Shaykh : Some scholars inferred this from it, and they inferred it even more explicitly from his statement to the Companions: "When you saw me delay, when you saw me advance." They said this is evidence that the one praying looks forward. Some of them distinguished and said: the ma'mum (one praying behind the imam) looks at the imam in order to follow him, as al-Bara' ibn 'Azib said: "The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), when he would lower himself—meaning for prostration—none of us would bend our backs until the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) would prostrate".
The Shaykh : Some scholars inferred this from it, and they inferred it even more explicitly from his statement to the Companions: "When you saw me delay, when you saw me advance." They said this is evidence that the one praying looks forward. Some of them distinguished and said: the ma'mum (one praying behind the imam) looks at the imam in order to follow him, as al-Bara' ibn 'Azib said: "The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), when he would lower himself—meaning for prostration—none of us would bend our backs until the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) would prostrate".