Fath al-Rabbani

Benefits: … During standing (qiyam), the worshipper’s head should be bowed and his gaze should be fixed on the place of prostration (sajdah), as is understood from the narration in Sunan al-Bayhaqi and al-Mustadrak of al-Hakim. Turning one’s attention here and there during prayer—these ahadith indicate the ruling regarding this matter: as long as the person remains facing the qiblah, looking around is disliked (makruh) and it diminishes the reward and merit of the prayer. However, if a worshipper turns so much that he is no longer facing the qiblah, and he has no valid excuse, then his prayer becomes invalid and he must begin the prayer anew. It should be kept in mind that in cases of necessity, looking here and there during prayer is permissible, as in the narration of Sayyiduna Sahl ibn Hunayf radi Allahu anhu in Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim, according to which the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam would look towards the mountain pass during the Fajr prayer. According to the narration in Sunan Abi Dawud, the reason for this was that the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam had sent a horseman towards the mountain pass for night watch. Similarly, according to the narration of Sayyiduna Sahl ibn Sa’d al-Sa’idi radi Allahu anhu in Sahih al-Bukhari, Sayyiduna Abu Bakr al-Siddiq radi Allahu anhu looked back in prayer because the people were clapping, then he stepped back and the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam moved forward.