Is It Permissible to Close One’s Eyes in Prayer?

Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Question: Is it permissible to close one’s eyes in prayer?

Answer: In the Name of Allah, the Merciful and Compassionate

Closing one’s eyes in prayer is permitted if it helps focus. [Ibn Abidin, Radd al-Muhtar; Shurunbulali, Maraqi al-Falah]

However, it is superior to train oneself to focus while keeping one’s gaze focussed on one’s place of prostration—as this was the sunna of the Beloved Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him and his folk), and also engages the eyes themselves in worship. [Kasani, Bada’i al-Sana’i; Ibn Abidin, Radd al-Muhtar; Shurunbulali, Maraqi al-Falah]

And Allah is the giver of success and facilitation.

Please see also: Is It Permissible to Close Your Eyes During Prayer If It Helps You Concentrate?

Wassalam.
[Shaykh] Faraz Rabbani

Shaykh Faraz Rabbani is a scholar and researcher of Islamic law and translator of several Arabic works to the English language. After ten years overseas, Shaykh Faraz returned to Canada in the Summer of 2007. In May 2008 he founded SeekersGuidance to deal with the urgent need to spread Islamic knowledge—both online and on the ground—in a reliable, relevant, inspiring, and accessible manner.

Photo: Kristina Alexanderson