As for the third chapter: it is the dislike of raising the gaze to the sky in prayer, as Anas narrated from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him).
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The Shaykh : As for the third chapter: it is the dislike of raising the gaze to the sky in prayer, as Anas narrated from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) that he prohibited a man from raising his gaze to the sky. He said: Sahih al-Bukhari 750: meaning, what is their business? Why do they raise their eyes to the sky? Sunan Abi Dawud 913Sahih (Al-Albani): And this is a warning that indicates it is forbidden for a person to raise his gaze to the sky while he is praying. I have seen some people, when they rise from the bowing, say "Hear from Allah those who praise Him" and raise their gaze and face, and this is forbidden for them. Some scholars (may Allah have mercy on them) even said: "If he does this, his prayer is invalid, because he committed something prohibited specifically in prayer". The legal principle is: "Whoever commits something prohibited specifically in an act of worship, his worship is invalidated". Then these people cited a second reason, saying that this is bad conduct with Allah, and what is required of a person while he is praying is that he be humble and lower his head.
They also said in their reasoning: A person is commanded to face the qiblah with his entire body. If he raises his gaze to the sky, his face turns to the sky, so his prayer is invalidated. Thus, the matter is serious. For this reason, the speech of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was severe regarding this, until he said:As-Sunan al-Kubra lil-Nasa'i 3:23.
If someone asks: "Then where should I place my gaze?" We say: Place your gaze where your prostration is, except when raising the index finger in supplication during the tashahhud, and between the two prostrations, look at the index finger, because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), when he raised it, his gaze did not go beyond his gesture. Some scholars (may Allah have mercy on them) made an exception for looking at the imam to follow him, especially if a person cannot hear and cannot follow his imam except by looking at him. In that case, he looks at him, because the Companions used to do that., and it is not possible to learn the prayer except while looking at him. For this reason, they would describe the movement of his beard while reciting in the secret prayer, which indicates that they were looking at their imam.
Some scholars made an exception if a person is in the Sacred Mosque and the Ka'bah is in front of him; he places his gaze on the Ka'bah. But this exception is weak. The correct view is that one does not look at the Ka'bah during prayer, because it was not reported from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), and because it causes distraction, as one looks at the people circumambulating, going and coming.
What is wrong with those people who look towards the sky during the prayer?
ما بال أقوام يرفعون أبصارهم إلى السماء في الصلاةThey should stop doing that, otherwise their sight will be snatched away.
لينتهن عن ذلك أو لتخطفن أبصارهمThey also said in their reasoning: A person is commanded to face the qiblah with his entire body. If he raises his gaze to the sky, his face turns to the sky, so his prayer is invalidated. Thus, the matter is serious. For this reason, the speech of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was severe regarding this, until he said:
Let them stop, or their eyes will be plucked out
لينتهن أو لتخطفن أبصارهمIf someone asks: "Then where should I place my gaze?" We say: Place your gaze where your prostration is, except when raising the index finger in supplication during the tashahhud, and between the two prostrations, look at the index finger, because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), when he raised it, his gaze did not go beyond his gesture. Some scholars (may Allah have mercy on them) made an exception for looking at the imam to follow him, especially if a person cannot hear and cannot follow his imam except by looking at him. In that case, he looks at him, because the Companions used to do that.
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) ascended the minbar and used to pray on it, and he said: "I did that so that you may follow me and learn your prayer"
وقد صعد النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم المنبر وجعل يصلي عليه ، وقال فعلت ذلك لتأتموا بي ولتعلموا صلاتكمSome scholars made an exception if a person is in the Sacred Mosque and the Ka'bah is in front of him; he places his gaze on the Ka'bah. But this exception is weak. The correct view is that one does not look at the Ka'bah during prayer, because it was not reported from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), and because it causes distraction, as one looks at the people circumambulating, going and coming.
