[Q 337] Where to Look During Tashahhud

Question

How is it to look in between the 2 thighs or at one’s own chest during the Tashahhud position?

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

الجواب بعون الملك الوهاب اللهم هداية الحق والصواب

Answer

Among the etiquettes of prayer is to keep one’s gaze downwards towards their lap during Tashahhud in order to express submission and humility in prayer.

If one looks towards their chest, they will not be sinful, but it is nonetheless better to look downward towards one’s lap.

In “Al-Durr al-Mukhtar”, it is stated:

(ولها آداب) نظره إلى موضع سجوده حال قيامه وإلى ظهر قدميه حال ركوعه وإلى أرنبة أنفه حال سجوده *والى حجره حال قعوده* وإلى منكبه الأيمن والأيسر عند التسليمة الأولى والثانية

 “Among the etiquettes of prayer is to keep one’s gaze upon the place of prostration when one is standing, to keep one’s gaze upon the top of his feet when one is in ruku, to keep one’s gaze upon the tip of his nose when one is in Sajdah, to keep one’s gaze upon his lap when one is sitting*, and to keep one’s gaze upon his right and left shoulder respectively when one is doing the first and second salam.”

(Radd ul Muhtar & Al-Durr al-Mukhtar, Volume 2, Pg. 214)

Answered by: Tabaruk Madani (Askmufti Scholar)

Verified by: Mufti Sajid Attari

Translated answer

Date: 26th May 2024