You Might Be Praying Wrong — Here’s Why Standing in Front of a Photo Could Be Problematic

Scholars generally hold that praying in front of photographs or paintings showing living beings is disliked. The reasoning is practical: such images can distract the worshipper and reduce presence of heart (khushoo‘) during prayer. For that reason the act of praying before such images is regarded as makruh — and the article summarises the main reasons for that ruling:

• Distraction from God: A visible image of a living creature in front of the worshipper may draw attention to the picture and diminish focus on God.

• Respect for the sacred act: Prayer is a solemn worship act that should be performed in a calm, pure environment; having images of living beings nearby can lessen that sanctity.

Notes on the conditions and mitigating factors

The article goes on to note several considerations that can affect the degree of dislike:

• Type of image: If the image does not strongly resemble a person or animal (e.g., highly stylised, very small, or abstract), some jurists view the dislike as weaker.

• Placement of the picture: If the image is placed where it’s not easily seen during prayer, or can be covered, the degree of makruh is reduced.

• Type of place: In a mosque or formal prayer space, stronger caution is advised — it’s better to avoid any pictures of living creatures in a place of prayer.

Practical guidance / conclusion

To be safe, it’s better to avoid praying directly in front of photographs or paintings that show living beings. If you must pray where such an image exists, you can either move to another spot or cover the image before praying. The article emphasises that this ruling applies specifically to prayer; it does not automatically apply to other acts of worship.

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