Does not looking at the place of prostration invalidate the prayer?
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Q: We pray in the desert, and none of us restricts his gaze to the place of his prostration; rather, he extends his vision across the desert. Does this invalidate the prayer?
A: Extending the gaze toward the front in the desert, or to the right or left, does not invalidate the prayer, but it is disliked. The recommended practice is humility in prayer, focusing on it, and lowering the gaze to the place of prostration, as Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) said: : [Al-Mu’minun: 1-2].
It is narrated from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) that among the signs of humility is lowering the gaze to the place of prostration. The imams and scholars have also stated the lawfulness of lowering the gaze to the place of prostration, because this gathers the heart and keeps one further from movement and fidgeting. Therefore, the recommended practice for the believer is to lower his gaze to the place of his prostration and not to look here and there, whether in the desert or elsewhere. Rather, he should be humble in his prayer, focus on it, and refrain from movements. Some people may fidget with their watch, beard, nose, or some part of their clothing, and so on. This is contrary to what is prescribed, because fidgeting is disliked except out of necessity, if it is slight. However, excessive, continuous movement without necessity invalidates the prayer. The believer should strive for humility and be diligent in it in his prayer until he completes it, acting in accordance with the saying of the Exalted:[Al-Mu'minun 23:1] الَّذِينَ هُمْ فِي صَلَاتِهْمْ خَاشِعُون [Al-Mu’minun: 1-2] and in accordance with the saying of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him): ; when he saw people gesturing with their hands in prayer, he said: and ordered them to be still, which means refraining from fidgeting. As for tranquility, it is necessary and is one of the pillars of the prayer, based on the hadith of the one who performed his prayer poorly; for the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) ordered him to repeat it because he neglected tranquility. As for what exceeds that of the prescribed humility, it is a recommended practice, as mentioned earlier. And success is from Allah.
A: Extending the gaze toward the front in the desert, or to the right or left, does not invalidate the prayer, but it is disliked. The recommended practice is humility in prayer, focusing on it, and lowering the gaze to the place of prostration, as Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) said: :
(1) Certainly will the believers have succeeded: (2) They who are during their prayer humbly submissive
قَدْ أَفْلَحَ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ الَّذِينَ هُمْ فِي صَلَاتِهِمْ خَاشِعُونَ It is narrated from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) that among the signs of humility is lowering the gaze to the place of prostration. The imams and scholars have also stated the lawfulness of lowering the gaze to the place of prostration, because this gathers the heart and keeps one further from movement and fidgeting. Therefore, the recommended practice for the believer is to lower his gaze to the place of his prostration and not to look here and there, whether in the desert or elsewhere. Rather, he should be humble in his prayer, focus on it, and refrain from movements. Some people may fidget with their watch, beard, nose, or some part of their clothing, and so on. This is contrary to what is prescribed, because fidgeting is disliked except out of necessity, if it is slight. However, excessive, continuous movement without necessity invalidates the prayer. The believer should strive for humility and be diligent in it in his prayer until he completes it, acting in accordance with the saying of the Exalted:
Certainly will the believers have succeeded:
قَدْ أَفْلَحَ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ Be calm in your prayer.
اسكنوا في الصلاةBe calm in your prayer.
اسكنوا في الصلاة
Source
binbaz.org.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.