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Praying in front of a mirror

Answered by
Shaykh Abdul-Karim Yahya, SunniPath Academy Teacher
Published
23 August 2006

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Question


Is it permissible to pray with a mirror in front of us, or even in the same room, or do we have to cover it?

 

Answer


In The Name of Allah, Most Merciful and Compassionate

It is offensive (makruh) to pray on or towards anything that is distracting, such as something striped or a person who is facing one.[1] A mirror is similar. As for praying with a mirror in the room, I have not seen our imams mention this. A reflection is not considered a picture of animate life, so it would not appear to be a problem in our school. And Allah knows best and He alone gives success (tawfiq).

[1] See: Ibn Hajar al-Haytami, Hawashi al-Sharwani Wa Ibn Qasim al-Abbadi 'Ala Tuhfah al-Muhtaj Bisharh al-Minhaj (Beruit, Dar Ihya' al-Turath al-'Arabi), 2:161; and Nihaya with Shibramalisi's supercommentary: Muhammad Ramli, Nihayah al-Muhtaj ila Sharh al-Minhaj (Beruit, Dar Ihya' al-Turath al-'Arabi), 2:58.

 

This answer was published by SunniPath and is preserved as written. Rulings can depend on circumstances; for your own situation, consult a qualified scholar.

Originally published by SunniPath (sunnipath.com).

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