Here is a quote from the book 33 Ways of Developing Khushoo’ in Salaah by Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid:
There is a question in the minds of some people who pray, which is: what is the ruling
on closing the eyes during prayer, especially when a person feels that this increases
his khushoo’?
The answer is that this goes against the Sunnah that was reported from the Prophet
(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) that was just referred to above. Closing
the eyes means that a person misses out on the Sunnah of looking at the place of
prostration and at his finger. But there is more to the matter than this, so we should
listen to the opinion of an expert, al-‘Allaamah Abu ‘Abd-Allaah Ibn al-Qayyim,
which will explain the matter further. He (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: “It is
not part of the Prophet’s teaching to close the eyes during prayer. We have already
mentioned how he used to look at his finger during the Tashahhud and the du’aa’, and
he would not let his gaze wander beyond his finger… Another indication [of the fact
that he kept his eyes open] is the fact that he stretched his hand forth to take the bunch
of grapes when he saw Paradise, and he also saw Hell and the woman (who had
tormented) the cat, and the owner of Stick (al-Mihjan). Likewise, he pushed away the
animal that wanted to pass in front of him whilst he was praying, and he pushed back
the boy, and the young girl, and the two young girls. He used to wave to those whom
he saw greeting him (whilst he was praying). There is also a hadeeth that describes
how the Shaytaan tried to tempt him whilst he was praying, so he grabbed him and
strangled him, as he had seen him with his own eyes. From these ahaadeeth and others
we learn that he did not close his eyes when he prayed.
The fuqahaa’ differ as to whether closing the eyes during prayer is makrooh. Imaam
Ahmad and others did count it as makrooh, and said: “This is the action of the Jews,”
but others allowed it and did not count it as makrooh. The correct view is that if
keeping the eyes open does not affect a person’s khushoo’, then this is better, but if
keeping the eyes open affects a person’s khushoo because of decorations, adornments
etc. in front of him, which distract him, then it is not makrooh at all for him to close
his eyes. The opinion that indeed it is mustahabb in this case is closer to the principles
and aims of sharee’ah than saying it is makrooh. And Allaah knows best. (
Zaad al-
Ma’aad
, 1/293, Daar al-Risaalah edn.)
Thus it is clear that the Sunnah is not to close one’s eyes, unless it is necessary to do
so in order to avoid something that may adversely affect one’s khushoo’.
This is similar to what I heard in the Maliki madhab, that closing the eyes is makruh unless you find that you cannot concentrate with your eyes open and get distracted. I feel that sometimes this gets easier with time, I used to pray with my eyes closed because I couldn't concentrate otherwise, but now with practice, alhamulilah it is easier to focus on the place of prostration and concentrate.
