Project "Revive a Sunnah" Blog Launch! (Week 4)

Week 4: October 27th - November 3rd 2006
(5th-12th of Shawwaal 1427 AH)

Picture this. You have just finished praying the ‘Isha prayer at the Masjid. Since you are doing your best to follow the Sunnah, you remain seated to finish the adhkar. After the adhkar, you get up from your place, and start walking towards the back of the Masjid to pray your Sunnah. You look up casually to see the way, and Behold! You make eye-contact with a person who is praying his two rakahs of Sunnah. I’m sure many of you have been in this situation before (hopefully you were not the one in prayer!)

What is wrong with this situation? The problem is that the praying person’s gaze is wandering around, and it should rather have been fixed at the place of prostration. However unfortunate it may be, today, many of the people’s eyes just keep wandering and wandering during prayer. Hence, this is a problem that has to be addressed. And, hence, it is the topic of this week’s “Revive a Sunnah”.

From the Ahadith:

1.
It was reported from ‘Aa’ishah that “the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to pray with his head tilted forward and his gaze lowered, looking at the ground.” (Reported by al-Haakim: 1/479. He said it is saheeh according to the condition of the two Shaykhs [al-Bukhaari and Muslim])

2.
When the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) entered the Ka’bah, his eyes never left the place of his prostration until he came out again. (Reported by al-Haakim in al-Mustadrak: 1/479. He said it is saheeh according to the condition of the two shaykhs, and al-Dhahabi agreed with him.)

3.
The Prophet (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam) said, "Allah does not cease to turn to a slave in his prayer as long as he is not looking around; when he turns his face away, Allah turns away from him." (Sahih - Abu Dawood and others)

4.
The Prophet (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam) said, "People must refrain from looking up at the sky in prayer, or their sight will not return to them (and in one narration ... or their sight will be plucked away)." (Sahih - Al-Bukhari, Muslim and Siraaj)

You are most welcome to direct any Feedback/Comments/Suggestions/Nominations to albosnawi@gmail.com

May Allah reward you all.
Praise be to Allah and may the blessings be upon the Prophet (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam).

Wa Salaamu Alaykoum,

Kemal Smajlovic