Hadith 1364

Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated: The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) would glance to the right and left during prayer, but he would not turn his neck behind his back. [Narrated by Al-Tirmidhi and Al-Nasa’i] In "Ad-Durr Al-Mukhtar" and "Radd Al-Muhtar": Turning the chest during prayer invalidates it, and turning the entire face or part of it is prohibitively disliked due to the prohibition. Glancing with the eyes is mildly disliked. In "Az-Zayla'i" and "Sharh Al-Multaqa" by Al-Baqani: It is permissible because the Prophet (peace be upon him) used to glance at his companions during prayer with the corner of his eye. This does not contradict the previous ruling if understood as referring to unnecessary turning. It is also narrated from Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him): When the Prophet (peace be upon him) began the prayer, he would only look at the place of his prostration. This is mentioned in "Umdat Al-Qari."