Jumbangla Desk: Eyesight is important for devotion and concentration in prayer. It is Sunnah to look at the place of Sijdah while standing and bowing and to look at the shahadat finger while sitting. In one narration, Rasulullah (s.a.w.) used to keep his gaze in the place of prostration while standing and bowing in prayer. And while sitting, Shahadat kept his eyes on the finger. (Nasa'i, Hadith: 1160, 1275)
On the authority of Ayesha (R.A.), she said, When Rasulullah (S.A.W.) used to stand in prayer, he would lower his head and look at the ground. (Mustadrake Hakeem, Hadith: 1/479)
Imam Abu Hanifa (RA) said, while standing, the gaze should be towards Sijda, while Ruku, between the two legs, while sitting, towards the lap, while Sijda, towards the nose . (Kitab al-Mabsut, 1/28). However, some imams have said that during the whole prayer, the gaze will be on the prostration.
Ayesha (R.A.) said, I asked Rasulullah (S.A.W.), what do you say about looking from side to side in prayer? In response, he said, "This is the touch of the devil, with which the devil makes the servants of Allah heedless and indifferent to the prayer." (Bukhari, Hadith: 718) However, if someone's gaze wanders in some way, the prayer will not be broken. (Ad Durrul Mukhtar, 1/447)
Allama Ibn Humam (RA) said, it is makruh to pray with eyes closed. Because Rasulullah (SAW) forbade praying with eyes closed. It is Sunnah to pray looking towards the place of Sijdah. If you keep your eyes closed in prayer, this sunnah runs away. (Badayus Sanayi, 1/216)
