Visualizing the Spiritual Guide During Prayer

Question

What is the ruling on mentally picturing the spiritual guide during prayer? The guide said it is permissible, citing as evidence that Abu Lahab is mentioned in Surah al-Lahab, that this mention comes to mind during prayer, and that it does not invalidate the prayer. Likewise, he said, if a thought of me [the guide] also comes to mind during prayer, this will neither disturb the prayer nor invalidate it.

Answer

(1) During prayer one should picture that Allah the Pure is present before [the worshipper]. Deliberately fixing one’s thought on the spiritual guide at that time, [imagining] that one stands in his presence, is by no means proper. As for the meaning of what is recited during the prayer coming to mind — that is not the same as picturing [someone’s] presence.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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