The following hadith explains as mentioned in Sahi al-Bukhārī (Book 10: Call to Prayers (Adhaan) / كتاب الأذان / Chapter 94: Is it permissible to one to look around in Salat (prayer) if something happens to one? Or can one look at something like expectoration in the direction of the Qiblah? / باب هَلْ يَلْتَفِتُ لأَمْرٍ يَنْزِلُ بِهِ أَوْ يَرَى شَيْئًا أَوْ بُصَاقًا فِي الْقِبْلَةِ / as Hadith 753, given herein under:
Narrated Ibn `Umar:
The Prophet (ﷺ) saw expectoration in the direction of the Qibla of the mosque while he was leading the prayer, and scratched it off. After finishing the prayer, he said, "Whenever any of you is in prayer he should know that Allah is in front of him. So none should spit in front of him in the prayer."
Arabic Text:
حَدَّثَنَا قُتَيْبَةُ بْنُ سَعِيدٍ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا لَيْثٌ، عَنْ نَافِعٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ، أَنَّهُ قَالَ رَأَى النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم نُخَامَةً فِي قِبْلَةِ الْمَسْجِدِ، وَهْوَ يُصَلِّي بَيْنَ يَدَىِ النَّاسِ، فَحَتَّهَا ثُمَّ قَالَ حِينَ انْصَرَفَ " إِنَّ أَحَدَكُمْ إِذَا كَانَ فِي الصَّلاَةِ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ قِبَلَ وَجْهِهِ، فَلاَ يَتَنَخَّمَنَّ أَحَدٌ قِبَلَ وَجْهِهِ فِي الصَّلاَةِ ". رَوَاهُ مُوسَى بْنُ عُقْبَةَ وَابْنُ أَبِي رَوَّادٍ عَنْ نَافِعٍ.
This hadith reflects a powerful lesson on etiquette, respect, and awareness during prayer—especially in relation to the Qibla (direction of prayer) and the presence of Allah.
Explanation in Light of the Qur’an and Sunnah:
1. The Spiritual Meaning: "Allah is in front of him". The Prophet ﷺ is reminding the worshiper that during salah (prayer), he or she stands in direct connection with Allah, facing the Qibla, which symbolizes the direction of unity and submission.
However, when he says: "He should know that Allah is in front of him", it doesn't mean Allah is physically located in front (since Allah is not confined by space or direction), but it emphasizes a spiritual presence—that you are standing before your Lord, and therefore should maintain utmost reverence.
This aligns with the Qur’anic idea of khashyah (awe and humility) in prayer:
- "Successful indeed are the believers—those who humble themselves in their prayers." — Surah Al-Mu’minun (23:1–2)
- It also connects with the verse: "Establish prayer for My remembrance." — Surah Taha (20:14)
So, spitting or anything disrespectful toward the Qibla during prayer is essentially a sign of heedlessness, or a lack of spiritual mindfulness.
2. The Sanctity of the Mosque and Qibla
Spitting toward the Qibla or inside the mosque is not just bad manners—it’s spiritually inappropriate. In Islamic culture, the mosque is a sacred space, and the Qibla is a symbol of unity, purity, and submission to Allah. This is why the Prophet ﷺ took action during the prayer—he wiped it off right away, showing the importance of keeping the mosque clean and respecting the Qibla.
The Qur'an supports the idea of honoring sacred places: "In houses (mosques) which Allah has ordered to be raised, and that His Name be mentioned therein..." — Surah An-Nur (24:36)
3. Islamic Hygiene and Etiquette
Spitting on the ground in general (without necessity or covering it) is discouraged. But in prayer, and especially toward the Qibla, it is considered disrespectful and spiritually offensive. The Prophet ﷺ said in other hadith: "Spitting in the mosque is a sin, and its expiation is to bury it (clean it)." — Sahih Muslim
Also: "When anyone of you stands for the prayer, he is speaking to his Lord..." — Sahih al-Bukhari
These emphasize the personal audience with Allah during salah—spitting during this act would show a lack of awareness of the sacred nature of that moment.
A Lesson in Presence and Reverence
The core lesson is spiritual mindfulness. The Prophet ﷺ is teaching his companions (and us) to be deeply aware during salah. It’s not just a ritual—it’s a direct engagement with the Divine. So your actions, posture, and even small habits matter.
Summary of Key Takeaways:
- "Allah is in front of him" - A reminder of spiritual presence and accountability during prayer.
- Respect for Qibla & Mosque Physical spaces of worship must be honored and kept clean.
- Hygiene & Cleanliness Cleanliness is part of faith (ṭahārah), especially in salah.
- Spiritual Presence Prayer is an intimate conversation with Allah; be fully present.
This hadith thus tells us to remain focused on our prayer and resist any temptation to look any other way other than the direction of Qibla. And if still random thoughts creep in, focus on the prayer thinking one is standing in front of his Creator, an honour that Allah bestows upon us. Also one must refrain from littering in the masjids and all places of worship and keep these clean.
May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door.
وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ
(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”
That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.
May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.
Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.
Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.
Please refer to our exclusive reference page Collection of Hadiths of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ about As Salat for more Sunnah and Hadith attributed to Prophet Muhammad exclusive to As Salat.
For more hadiths on varying subjects, refer to our reference page: Sunnah and Hadith of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ to know more about Hadiths and Sunnah of Prophet of Allah. You may also refer to our Reference Pages for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.
| Source of Hadith | Help taken from ChatGPT for expanding meaning of the Hadith
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