Nasai

Hadith Commentary:
➊
Imam Bukhari rahimahullah has established a chapter in the Book of Prayer (Kitab al-Salat) on this hadith with the following words:
(BAB AL-ILTIFAT FI AL-SALAH)
"Turning one’s gaze here and there in prayer," and he has established that such movement in prayer is strictly prohibited.
This greatly diminishes the reward, and Satan snatches away a portion in order to harm the servant’s prayer.
➋
Imam Bukhari rahimahullah has, through this hadith, made us aware of the satanic act, and from this, the existence of Satan is also affirmed.
And Allah knows best.

Hadith Commentary:

This is called "iltifat," meaning to glance here and there in prayer without turning the neck or chest. This is strictly prohibited in prayer.

➊ Previously, the Companions (radi Allahu anhum) used to practice iltifat during prayer. When the noble verse was revealed:
﴿قَدْ أَفْلَحَ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ ﴾١﴿ الَّذِينَ هُمْ فِي صَلَاتِهِمْ خَاشِعُونَ ﴾٢﴿ (: al-Mu’minun: 1-2),
they refrained from this and began to keep their gaze fixed at the place of prostration.

➋ It is mentioned in the hadith that when a worshipper repeatedly looks here and there, Allah Most High also turns His Face away from him.

Narrated by al-Bazzar from Jabir (radi Allahu anhu).

Hadith Commentary:
Imam Bukhari rahimahullah previously established that a person performing prayer, while following the imam, may look towards the imam in order to be aware of the imam’s movements and postures, and this does not invalidate the prayer in any way.

Then, he established that during prayer, looking towards the sky is prohibited and impermissible.

Now, he presents a third scenario: if a person performing prayer looks around here and there without any valid reason, then this act is a satanic action, meaning that Satan, through this, tries to make his prayer deficient and attempts to reduce his reward.

It is mentioned in the hadith that when a servant performs prayer, Allah’s merciful gaze remains upon him, provided that he does not glance here and there.

When he turns his face away, Allah’s mercy also distances itself from him.
(Jami‘ at-Tirmidhi, al-Amthal, Hadith: 2863)

In another narration, it is stated: When you perform prayer, do not look here and there.

It is mentioned in the hadith that the noble Companions radi Allahu anhum used to look around during prayer, until these verses were revealed:
﴿قَدْ أَفْلَحَ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ - الَّذِينَ هُمْ فِي صَلَاتِهِمْ خَاشِعُونَ ﴿٢﴾ (Fath al-Bari: 303/2)
“Indeed, successful are the believers—those who are humble in their prayers.” (al-Mu’minun 23:1-2)

After this, the noble Companions radi Allahu anhum would only look in front of them during their prayers, would pay full attention, and would strive that their gaze did not go beyond the place of prostration.

Due to these ahadith and reports, we should safeguard our prayers and should not ruin our prayers by glancing here and there during them.

910. Commentary:
To turn the neck and look around is completely impermissible; however, in case of extreme necessity, if one glances to some extent by turning the eyes, then it is permissible.

1197. Commentary: Looking here and there during the prayer is a very reprehensible act which has a very bad effect on the prayer. (Just as when a predator tears off some flesh from an animal, that animal neither dies immediately nor survives fully; even if it survives, it becomes very deficient.) Therefore, this act has been attributed to Shaytan. In any case, such actions are also the result of satanic whisperings.

Lexical Explanation:
«اَلْاِلْتِفَاتِ» To look right and left.
«اَلْاِخْتِلَاسُ» To take something away. To snatch something quickly from someone.
«إِيَّاكَ» "Kaf" has a fatha. It is addressed to a man. And in Tirmidhi, it is narrated from Sayyiduna Anas radi Allahu anhu that the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said to me: "Son! Guard yourself against turning (al-tafatt) in prayer..." etc. [جامع الترمذي، الجمعة، باب ما ذكر فى الالتفات فى الصلاة، حديث : 589]
«إِيَّاكَ» It is in the accusative case due to warning (tahdheer). The meaning is: beware and avoid turning away.
«هَلَكَةٌ» "Ha", "Lam", and "Kaf" all have a fatha. The meaning is destruction, because in it is obedience to Shaytan, and he is the one who incites it.

Benefits and Issues:
➊ Shaytan is the eternal enemy of man; he does not miss any opportunity to harm and damage a person, to the extent that even in prayer he makes every effort to distract from prayer. If nothing else, at the very least he tries to scatter the attention of the worshipper and encourages looking here and there, so that the worshipper becomes heedless and indifferent to some part of the prayer and is deprived of reward. Therefore, the Noble Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam has emphasized that the worshipper should be alert and cautious.
➋ In cases of severe and pressing need, turning (al-tafatt) is permitted, provided that the neck does not turn, and only the corners of the eyes are used to look.