Therefore, if you see someone doing this, advise him. Moreover, it involves another problem: it is disproportionate, since it does not maintain balance in the body; he has given preference to the left side over the right. We say: the best course is the middle one. So be between the right and the left, and place both hands upon the chest.

And he looks at the place of his prostration, …

His statement, “and he looks at the place of his prostration,” means the spot where he prostrates. The pronoun refers to the worshipper, and this applies equally to the imam, the one praying behind an imam, and the one praying alone: he should look at the place where he prostrates. This is the view of many scholars (1). They cited as evidence a hadith narrated from the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, stating that “he would look at the place of his prostration while praying.” (2) They also said, in explaining Allah’s saying, “Successful indeed are the believers: those who are humble in their prayer” [Surah al-Mu’minun], that humility means looking at the place of one’s prostration.

Some scholars said that he should look straight ahead, except when seated, in which case he should look at his hand when he points with it during supplication. (3)

Some scholars distinguished between the imam and one praying alone, on the one hand, and the one praying behind an imam, on the other. They said that the one praying behind an imam should look at his imam in order to ensure that he follows him properly. (4) This is why al-Bara’ ibn ‘Azib said: “When the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, ‘Allah hears those who praise Him,’ none of us would bend his back until the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, had gone down into prostration; then…”