Where should I look during prayer?
Look down at the spot where your forehead will touch the ground in sujud. That is what most scholars recommend for standing, bowing and prostrating. While sitting for the tashahhud, look at your pointing finger, and never look up at the sky or glance around.
The place of prostration
The majority of scholars (Hanafi, Shafi'i and Hanbali) say the best place to rest your eyes while standing is your place of sujud, the spot on your mat just in front of you. Companions described the Prophet ﷺ lowering his gaze in prayer, and this keeps your head still and your mind calm. Some Maliki scholars say to look straight ahead toward the qibla instead. Both views are within the sunnah, and your prayer is valid either way.
Some scholars add details for each position:
- Standing: the place of prostration.
- Ruku (bowing): between or toward your feet.
- Sujud: your eyes naturally face the floor near your nose.
- Sitting (tashahhud): your raised index finger, as narrations describe the Prophet's ﷺ gaze following his pointing finger.
Two things to avoid
The Prophet ﷺ was strict about looking up: he warned people who raise their eyes to the sky in prayer that they should stop, or their sight could be taken away (Sahih al-Bukhari 750). When Aisha asked him about looking around during prayer, he called it something Satan snatches from a person's prayer (Sahih al-Bukhari 751). A quick glance doesn't cancel your prayer, but it chips away at it.
Practical help for your space
Your eyes follow whatever is in front of them, so make that space boring in a good way:
- Pray on a plain mat or floor rather than a busy pattern.
- Face a blank wall or place a simple object as a barrier. See What is a sutrah?
- Put your phone face down or on silent before you start. See What if my phone rings while I'm praying?
- If people pass in front of you at work or in a mosque, keep your gaze down instead of following them.
What about women and the imam?
The same guidance applies to everyone, men and women, praying alone or in a group. Following the imam is done by listening to his "Allahu Akbar", not by watching him, so you don't need to look up at the row in front.
- Most scholars: look at your place of sujud while standing.
- Look at your pointing finger in the tashahhud.
- Never raise your eyes to the sky during prayer.
- Avoid looking around; it takes from your prayer.
People also ask
Can I delay prayer to finish watching a game?
Yes, you can delay prayer to finish a game if its time hasn't ended, but letting it pass is a sin. Use half-time or pause the stream to pray.
Read the full answer →Can I pray in clothes with pictures on them?
Yes, prayer in a printed shirt is valid if it's clean and covers you, but images of people, animals or religious symbols are disliked in salah.
Read the full answer →What is witr prayer?
Witr prayer is an odd-numbered night prayer (1 or 3 rakat) between Isha and Fajr. Its timing, how to pray it, qunut and the scholars' views.
Read the full answer →Can I cry during prayer?
Yes, you can cry during prayer; the Prophet wept in salah and tears don't break it. When loud sobbing is discussed, and if you never cry at all.
Read the full answer →Can I recite the Quran without moving my lips?
It depends: reading the Quran silently with your eyes is rewarded reflection, but most scholars say recitation, as in prayer, needs moving lips.
Read the full answer →