Closing eyes in prayer to achieve Khushu'

[elefantebianco]

Assalam Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatu...

Insha'Allah you are all in hight state of imaan...its me again with another question....

In prayer i shut my eyes...for i feel it helps me to give my prayer more concentration and helps me to try and achieve qushu'....however i have been told that in the followiing times you must look at a certain point...which proves its not permissable to shut ur eyes:(

In qiyaam...standing...you are meant to look at the palce of sujood....
in Ruku...prostration your big toe....
in sujood...you are not permitted to shut ur eyes...
in tashahud...you have to look at your finger
and whilst saying salaams...you must look at your shoulder or the person next to you.....

can some one please explain the stance when it comes to shutting the eyes...if this is permissable...and also...if the above must be followed...for i am ever so confused....:confused:

jazaaak Allahu khairan...may Allah ease for us the crossing of As-siraat...protect us from the fitnah of the dajal...and the punishment of the grave and fire...

fi amaan illah

[elefantebianco]

bump can sum1 answer pweeeez

[Arifa]

Closing eyes is against the sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (saw). And the sunnah of the prophet (saw) should be followed.

BUT if opening your eyes distracts you or effects your "khushu'" then it is disirable for you to keep them shut :up:

[Ibn al-Mubarak]

I dont think it's a question of permissibility or impermissibility, it's just what is 'preferred'.

So all of the things you mentioned like looking at the sajda place etc are all things that are 'good' and 'meant to be done' nothing that *has* to be done or else your salahs nullified.

[elefantebianco]

Against the sunnah...and we have to follow the sunnah so therfore i shudnt do it...

[ibn suleman]

Salaams

http://www.bakkah.net/interactive/q&a/aamb031.htm

http://qa.sunnipath.com/issue_view.asp?HD=1&ID=954&CATE=4

http://qa.sunnipath.com/issue_view.asp?HD=1&ID=1000&CATE=4

hope that helps!

[|zdihaar]

Question :

What is the ruling on closing the eyes when praying?

Answer :

Praise be to Allaah.

The scholars are agreed that it is makrooh to close the eyes for no reason when praying. The author of al-Rawd stated that it is makrooh because this is what the Jews do. (al-Rawd al-Murabba’, 1/95). The authors of Manaar al-Sabeel and al-Kaafi stated likewise, and added that it looks as if the person is asleep. (Manaar al-Sabeel, 1/66; al-Kaafi, 1/285). The author of al-Iqnaa’ stated that it is makrooh unless there is a reason for doing so, such as fear of seeing something one should not be looking at whilst praying, such as seeing one’s concubine or wife, or a non-mahram woman, naked. (al-Iqnaa’, 1/127; al-Mughni, 2/30). The author of al-Mughni said likewise.

The author of Tuhfat al-Mulook said that it is makrooh without discussing the ruling when there is a need to do it. (Tuhfat al-Mulook, 1/84). Al-Kaasaani said: it is makrooh because it goes against the Sunnah, which is to focus the gaze on the place of prostration, and because all of a person’s faculties have a role to play in worship, including the eyes. (Badaa’i’ al-Sanaa’i’, 1/503). The author of Maraaqi al-Falaah stated that it is makrooh unless done for a purpose. He said, closing the eyes may be preferable to looking in some cases (Maraaqi al-Falaah, 1/343).

Imaam al-‘Izz ibn ‘Abd al-Salaam said in his fatwas that it is permissible when necessary, if that helps the worshipper to focus more fully on his prayer. Ibn al-Qayyim said in Zaad al-Ma’aad that if a man can focus more fully on his prayer by opening his eyes, then it is better to do so. If he can focus more fully by closing his eyes because there are things that may distract him from his prayer, such as adornments and decorations, then it is not makrooh at all and the view that in this case it is mustahabb for him to close his eyes is closer to the aims and principles of sharee’ah than saying that it is makrooh. (Zaad al-Ma’aad, 1/283).

Islam Q&A
Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid (www.islam-qa.com)