– “Facing him” means opposite to him; that is, mercy descends upon him and draws near to him.

What may be drawn from the ḥadith:

1. It is disliked for the worshiper to wipe away the pebbles that cling to the parts of his body that touch the ground in prostration.
2. It is likewise disliked to smooth or wipe the spot on the ground where he will prostrate; if leveling it is truly necessary, he should do so only once.
3. The wisdom behind this, as stated in the ḥadith, is that mercy stands before his face—in the very dust that has adhered to his forehead through prostration—and in the place of prostration where he has remembered and glorified Allah.
4. Others said the reason is to ward off needless fidgeting, which undermines the prayer, conflicts with humility and submission, and distracts the worshiper. Both considerations may be intended: preserving the trace of mercy that has settled upon him and avoiding fidgeting that is contrary to humble devotion.
5. It is recommended for one who intends to pray to level the spot where he will stand and prostrate before beginning the prayer, so that he will not need to do so during it and thereby become distracted.
6. The majority of scholars regarded the act as merely disliked, not prohibited, because the transgression is minor and the movement slight; it therefore counts among the makrūh acts of prayer.