What is the ruling of performing salah in front of a mirror?
The question, as received
I perform salah in my bedroom in one corner. There is a mirror in front of me in the qiblah direction. What is the ruling if there is a mirror in front of me when performing salah?
The answer
When performing Salāh, in the Qiyām (standing) posture, one should keep his gaze fixated at the place where one’s face touches the ground in Sajdah (prostration). Whilst in the Rukū’ (bowing) posture, one’s eyes should be locked onto one’s feet. Whilst in the Qa’dah (sitting) posture, the eyes should be lowered to one’s lap.
Condition: A mirror is not disliked in itself, but becomes disliked if it distracts one in salah.
Explanation
Having a mirror in front of oneself in itself will not result in karahāh (dislike) in one’s Salāh.1 However, if this draws one’s attention away and infiltrates one’s thoughts, then this will result in karahāh.2
A person should specify another place for performing Salāh to prevent any disruption when performing Salāh.
And Allah knows best.
Mufti Faraz Adam
References
1أحسن الفتاوى ج 3 ص 413 أيج أيم سعيد
2فِي الْمَكْرُوهَاتِ أَشْيَاءُ أُخَرُ ذَكَرَهَا فِي الْمُنْيَةِ وَنُورِ الْإِيضَاحِ وَغَيْرِهِمَا: مِنْهَا الصَّلَاةُ بِحَضْرَةِ مَا يَشْغَلُ الْبَالَ وَيُخِلُّ بِالْخُشُوعِ كَزِينَةٍ وَلَهْوٍ وَلَعِبٍ (رد المحتار ج 1 ص 654 أيج أيم سعيد)
Based on the Hanafi school and on the question as it was asked. Another mufti may reach a different conclusion. Read the disclaimer.