Those who permitted glancing and looking aside

A student of Ikrimah reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used to look with the corner of his eyes in prayer without turning his blessed neck.

Al-Taymi said: Ikrimah also used to do this.

Sa'id bin al-Musayyib said: The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used to look with the corner of his eyes in prayer but would not turn his blessed face.

Ibrahim used to say: If the imam makes a lapse in prayer and does not know what it is, let him glance at those behind him.

Anas bin Sirin said: I saw Sayyiduna Anas bin Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) raising himself up to look at something in prayer.

Mu'awiyah bin Qurrah said: It was said to Sayyiduna Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both): "When Ibn al-Zubayr stands in prayer, he neither looks around nor moves." Sayyiduna Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both) said: "But we do look around and we do move."

Ibrahim said: If the imam makes a lapse and cannot tell how much of the prayer he has prayed, he should look at the person standing behind him to see what he does.

Al-Walid bin Abdullah said: I saw Ibrahim in prayer looking right and left with the corners of his eyes.

Fitr said: Ibn Ma'qil also used to do this.