by some of the prayers. Everything for which a time is prescribed cannot be valid before its time, except the second of the two joined prayers, as it is performed during the time of the first when there is an excuse, if they are joined. The rest of the conditions fall away due to an excuse, according to the details mentioned in their appropriate places previously.

Section: It is recommended for the person praying to direct his gaze to the place of his prostration. Ahmad said, in a narration by Hanbal: Khushu' (humility) in prayer is that [he keeps his gaze directed] (35) to the place of his prostration. This was also narrated from Muslim (36) ibn Yasar and Qatadah. It was quoted from Sharik that he said: During his standing, he looks at the place of his prostration; in his bowing, at his feet; in his prostration, at his nose; and in the tashahhud, at his lap. Abu Talib al-Ushari (37) narrated in "al-Afrad" [from some of the Companions] (38), who said: I said: O Messenger of Allah, where should I place my gaze in the prayer? He said: "At the place of your prostration." He said: I said: O Messenger of Allah, that is difficult, [I cannot do that] (39). He said: "Then in the prescribed (40) prayers, at least." It is recommended to spread the feet apart and to alternate one's weight between them [when the standing becomes long] (41), [leaning on this one once and on that one once, but not doing that frequently, because] (42) al-Athram narrated with his chain of transmission (43) from Abu Ubaydah, who said: Abdullah saw a man praying with his feet lined up together, and he said: If he were to alternate