Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.  (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

I read:

The answer is that this goes against the Sunnah that was reported from the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) that was just referred to above. Closing the eyes means that a person misses out on the Sunnah of looking at the place of prostration and at his finger. But there is more to the matter than this, so we should listen to the opinion of an expert, al-‘Allaamah Abu ‘Abd-Allaah Ibn al-Qayyim, which will explain the matter further. He (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: “It is not part of the Prophet’s teaching to close the eyes during prayer. We have already mentioned how he used to look at his finger during the Tashahhud and the du’aa’, and he would not let his gaze wander beyond his finger… Another indication of the fact that he kept his eyes open is the fact that he stretched his hand forth to take the bunch of grapes when he saw Paradise, and he also saw Hell and the woman (who had tormented) the cat, and the owner of Stick (al-Mihjan). Likewise, he pushed away the animal that wanted to pass in front of him whilst he was praying, and he pushed back the boy, and the young girl, and the two young girls. He used to wave to those whom he saw greeting him (whilst he was praying). There is also a hadeeth that describes how the Shaytaan tried to tempt him whilst he was praying, so he grabbed him and strangled him, as he had seen him with his own eyes. From these ahaadeeth and others we learn that he did not close his eyes when he prayed.

http://63.175.194.25/books/khushoosalat/english.html

From the part that says He used to wave to those whom he saw greeting him (whilst he was praying).
Does this mean he (saw) used to wave to someone during his pra??? I was told you are not supposed to communicate with anyone during the pray,

Please clarify. 

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Answer:

Greeting in prayer

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is no one (no idol, no person, no grave, no prophet, no imam, no dai, nobody!) worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Your Question: From the part that says He used to wave to those whom he saw greeting him (whilst he was praying).

Does this mean he (saw) used to wave to someone during his pra??? I was told you are not supposed to communicate with anyone during the pray,

Please clarify. 

Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 5.215 Narrated by Abdullah

We used to greet the Prophet (saws) while he used to be in prayers, and he used to reply to our greetings. But when we came back from Najashi (the King of Ethiopia) we greeted him (while he (sws) was praying) and he (saws) did not reply to us. We said, "O Allah's Messenger (saws)! We used to greet you in the past and you used to reply to us?" He (saws) said, "Verily the mind is occupied and busy with more important matters during the prayer, (thus one should not return greetings)’

In the very beginning stages of Prophethood, when neither prayer was made obligatory, nor all the regulations and conditions of prayer were clarified by Allah Subhanah, it is indeed recorded in authentic traditions that the Messenger of Allah (saws) would reply to the greetings of his companions even if he (saws) was engaged in prayer.

But as the regulations and conditions of prayer were revealed and clarified by Allah Subhanah, the Messenger of Allah (saws) abstained from replying to the greetings and salutations of his companions when he (saws) was engaged in offering his prayers.

Thus if one is engaged in prayers and if someone happens to enter and utters a greeting or salutation while the person is still in prayer, the correct etiquette and Sunnah would be to complete the prayers first and then reply to the greetings or salutations of their brother.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me alone. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

Burhan