Praying In Private: Exploring Bedroom Devotion

There are differing opinions on whether one can pray in their bedroom. According to some Islamic scholars, it is permissible for both men and women to pray in their bedrooms, as the Prophet used to offer naafil prayers and qiyaam al-layl in the rooms of his wives. However, men are generally encouraged to pray in congregation at a mosque. Other sources suggest that it is disliked (makruh) to pray in the presence of pictures of animate creatures, especially if they are in front of, above, to the left, or to the right of the person praying.

Is it permissible to pray in a bedroom?

According to Islamic teachings, it is permissible for a man or woman to pray in their bedroom. The Prophet is quoted as saying:

> The earth has been made a place of prostration and a means of purification for me, so wherever a man of my ummah is when the time for prayer comes, let him pray.

However, it is considered a sin for men to miss congregational prayer at the mosque without a valid excuse.

There are differing opinions on whether it is permissible to pray in a room with pictures of humans or animals. Some scholars believe it is disliked (makruh) to pray in the presence of pictures of animate beings, and prohibitively disliked (makruh tahriman) if the picture is in front of, above, to the left, or to the right of the person praying. However, others argue that this only applies if the images are large enough to be seen clearly by a standing person, or if they are photographs as opposed to drawings.

Some scholars also believe that it is not allowed to pray in a room with any images in front of the person praying, as this is similar to the worship of idols and statues.

What is the ruling on praying in a room with images?

The ruling on praying in a room with images depends on the school of thought being followed.

According to the Hanafi school of thought, it is disliked (makruh) to pray in the presence of a picture of an animate creature. If the picture is in front of, above, to the left, or to the right of the person praying, it is prohibitively disliked (makruh tahriman). If the picture is behind the person praying, it is merely mildly disliked (makruh tanzihan). However, if the picture is very small, covered, or of an inanimate object, it is no longer disliked.

Some Hanafi scholars also hold the opinion that photographs are permissible, so praying in a room with photographs may be acceptable. Nevertheless, it is still advised to avoid facing the picture while praying.

Other scholars, including Imam An-Nawawi, Shaykh Al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah, and Al-Bahuti Al-Hanbali, agree that it is disliked to pray in the presence of images, especially if they are in front of the person praying. They cite various reasons for this, including the resemblance to idol worship, the fact that angels do not enter a room with images, and the potential for images to distract the worshipper.

Additionally, later Hanafi and Shafi'i scholars took a stricter view, forbidding prayer in any place with images, even if they are not directly in front of the person praying.

On the other hand, Sheikh `Abdul-Majeed Subh, an Azharite scholar, and Sheikh Ahmad Kutty, an Islamic scholar, state that there is nothing wrong with praying in a place with images or statues as long as they are not directly in front of the person praying. If there is no option but to pray with images in front, they suggest covering the images, closing one's eyes, or using a sutrah (a barrier) to separate the person praying from the images.

In summary, while there are differing opinions among scholars, the consensus tends to lean towards discouraging or prohibiting prayer in a room with images, especially if they are of animate objects and are in front of the person praying. However, in exceptional cases, such as when there is no other option, some scholars advise taking measures to avoid direct confrontation with the images, such as covering them or using a sutrah.

Can you pray on a bed?

According to Islamic teachings, it is generally acceptable for a man or woman to pray in their bedroom. This is because the Prophet is quoted as saying, “The earth has been made a place of prostration and a means of purification for me, so wherever a man of my ummah is when the time for prayer comes, let him pray.”

However, it is important to note that there are certain conditions that must be considered when praying in the bedroom. Firstly, men are encouraged to offer prayers in congregation at a mosque. If a man misses a prayer at the mosque without a valid excuse and instead prays in his bedroom, his prayer is still considered valid, but he is sinning by not praying in congregation.

Additionally, when it comes to the specific act of praying on a bed, there are some physical conditions that must be met. For a sajdah (prostration) to be considered valid, one must be able to firmly set their forehead onto the ground or surface they are praying on, without their head continuing to sink down. This may prove difficult on a soft mattress, unless the surface is quite stiff and hard. Furthermore, if one has to put in extra effort to stabilize themselves while standing on the bed, it is considered undesirable due to the potential loss of concentration.

In terms of the overall environment of the bedroom, it is considered makruh (disliked) in Islam to pray in the presence of pictures or images of animate creatures. This is based on the belief that angels do not enter a room with images, as stated in the hadith: "Angels do not enter a house wherein there is a dog or a picture." However, some Muslims consider this teaching to be a reference to living in a pagan society, and thus, it is not an absolute prohibition.

What is the impact of a person's intention when praying in a room with pictures?

A person's intention when praying in a room with pictures may impact their ability to focus and connect with their Lord. While there is no restriction on the location of prayer, with the Prophet stating that "the earth has been made a place of prostration and a means of purification for me, so wherever a man of my ummah is when the time for prayer comes, let him pray", the presence of images, especially those of animate beings, can be a source of distraction.

Scholars agree that it is not permitted to pray in a room with images of animate beings. This is based on the belief that angels will not enter a room with such images, following the Prophet's example of not entering the Ka'bah until the images within were erased. Additionally, praying towards images is similar to idol worship and should be avoided.

However, some scholars make a distinction between images that are in front of, above, or to the left or right of the person praying, and those that are behind them or covered. In the former case, it is strongly disliked, while in the latter, it is only mildly disliked. Small images that cannot be seen clearly from a standing position or photographs, according to Hanafi scholars, are also considered permissible.

The intention of the person praying is crucial. If one intends to focus solely on their prayer and their connection with God, they may find that the presence of pictures, especially those that are distracting or resemble idol worship, hinders their ability to fully concentrate. In such cases, removing or covering the pictures, or choosing a different location for prayer, may be advisable.

Ultimately, the impact of a person's intention when praying in a room with pictures depends on their individual beliefs and interpretation of religious teachings. While some may find pictures distracting or contrary to their faith, others may not consider them a hindrance to their prayer.

What are the views of Hanafi scholars on praying in a room with photographs?

According to Hanafi scholars, it is "prohibitively disliked" (makruh tahriman) to pray in the presence of a picture of an animate creature if it is in front of, above, to the left, or to the right of the person praying. If the picture is behind the person praying, it is considered "mildly disliked" (makruh tanzihan). However, the presence of photographs, as opposed to paintings, is a matter of differing opinions among Hanafi scholars.

Some Hanafi scholars hold the view that praying in a room with photographs is permissible. This is based on the belief that photographs are not considered "prohibited pictures" like paintings. However, even in this case, one should try to avoid facing the photograph while praying.

It is important to note that the presence of pictures of animate creatures, regardless of their placement, may still be considered distracting or disrespectful during prayer. Therefore, it is advisable to remove or cover the pictures or pray in a different area whenever possible.

Additionally, according to the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace), "Angels do not enter a house in which there are pictures." [Bukhari] This further emphasizes the importance of creating a prayer space free of images, especially those of animate objects.

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