8 – Passing thoughts that occur to a person while praying do not invalidate the prayer; he is only required to repel them and remove whatever prompts them.

9 – Al-Rawḍ and its marginal commentary state: It is disliked to carry anything bearing an image—such as a signet-stone, gold or silver coins, or a garment with a picture on it. This is unanimously deemed reprehensible because it resembles the practice of idol-worshipers.

10 – Al-Ṭayyibī remarked: The ḥadith indicates that images and visible objects have an effect on refined hearts and souls, let alone on those of lesser purity.

11 – Shaykh al-Islam said: The view explicitly affirmed by the leading scholars and others is that entering a church containing images is disliked, and praying in it—or in any place where there are pictures—is even more strongly disliked. This, he stated, is the sound position about which there is no doubt.

12 – The scholars unanimously agree that it is reprehensible for the worshiper to face anything that distracts him—whether an image, a fire, a lamp, a lantern, or a candle—because this undermines humility. It also resembles the Magians, who worship fire, and praying while facing it resembles praying to it.

13 – The scriptural texts show that reward depends on the heart’s presence. A humble heart is one emptied of everything unrelated to what it is engaged in. If a person repels stray thoughts and does not follow them, they will not harm him. He must strive to dismiss whatever occupies the heart—such as pondering matters that do not concern him—and to fend off the forces that pull the heart away from the purpose of the prayer. Whenever the servant seeks to turn his heart toward Allah, other whisperings assail him, for Satan is like a highway robber. The servant must therefore exert himself to understand what he says and does, to reflect on the Qur’an, the remembrances, and the supplications, and to remain conscious that he is conversing with Allah as though he sees Him.

• Scholarly disagreement:
  The scholars have differed over the making and possession of images depicting beings that possess a soul. The debate has grown so extensive that some have composed small treatises on the matter. Here we shall present a brief summary.