Ruling on praying in a room in which there are images

Firstly: 

The scholars are unanimously agreed that it is not allowed to
pray in a place in which there are images of animate beings. In fact some of
them were of the view that doing so is haraam, although the view of the
majority is that it is makrooh. 

Imam al-Nawawi (may Allah have mercy on him) said: 

As for fabric on which there are images or crossed lines or
anything that distracts the worshipper, it is makrooh to pray in it, facing
towards it or on it. 

End quote from al-Majmoo‘, 3/185 

Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Tayimiyah (may Allah have mercy on him)
said: 

The correct view, which was narrated from ‘Umar ibn
al-Khattaab and others, and is mentioned in reports from Ahmad and others,
is that if there are images in it (the church), he should not pray there,
because the angels do not enter the room in which there are images, and
because the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) did not enter
the Ka‘bah until the images that were in it had been erased. This is what
‘Umar said: We would not enter their churches if there were images in them.
 

End quote from Majmoo‘ al-Fataawa, 22/162 

Al-Bahooti al-Hanbali (may Allah have mercy on him) said: 

It is makrooh to pray facing towards a set-up image, as was
stated, because it is similar to the kuffaar’s prostrating to them (images).
… In al-Fusool it says: It is makrooh to pray facing a wall on which
there are pictures and images, because that is similar to the worship of
idols and statues.

End quote from Kashshaaf al-Qinaa‘, 1/370 

The scholars of the Standing Committee said: 

Praying in a place in which there is an image in front of the
ones who are praying is resembling the worshippers of idols, and there are
many hadeeths which indicate that it is forbidden to resemble the enemies of
Allah and that we are enjoined to differ from them. It should also be noted
that putting pictures of animate beings on walls is something that is not
permissible; rather it is something that leads to exaggeration and shirk,
especially if they are images of people who are venerated. 

End quote from Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah,
6/250-251. 

‘Abd al-‘Azeez ibn Baaz, ‘Abd al-Razzaaq ‘Afeefi, ‘Abd-Allah
ibn Ghadyaan, ‘Abd-Allah ibn Qa‘ood 

The later Hanafi and Shaafa‘i scholars – unlike the Hanbalis
– were so strict that they even forbade praying in a place in which there
are any images, even if they are behind the one who is praying or placed on
the ground so that he cannot see them. 

Al-Shibramalsi al-Shaafa‘i said: 

It is makrooh to pray in a garment on which there is an
image, or on a cloth on which there is an image, even if one is blind or it
is dark, or the image is behind his back or placed face downwards on the
ground so that he cannot see it when he prays on it (the cloth). This is
clear, so as to keep away from the image which is forbidden. 

End quote from Haashiyat Nihaayat al-Muhtaaj, 2/14 

See also the answer to question no.
130263 

Secondly: 

From the comments quoted above we may find out and understand
the wisdom behind not allowing prayer in a place in which there are images
and statues. These reasons are: 

-1-

The angels do not enter a room where there is an image. It
was narrated from Abu Talhah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the
Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “The angels do not
enter a room in which there is a dog or an image.”

Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 3225; Muslim, 2106. 

The worshipper is asking Allah to send down mercy and
increase blessings; how could you ask for that in a place where the angels
of mercy will not enter? 

-2-

Avoiding any resemblance to those who worship idols and
statues, namely the idolaters, or even the Christians, who fill their
churches with images of Christ and his mother Mary (peace be upon them) on
the basis of falsehood. Avoiding any imitations of the non-Muslims is one of
the important teachings of sharee‘ah, so as to prevent the identity of the
Muslims from being assimilated and lost, and so as to preserve its bright
light which shines forth among the nations. 

It was narrated from ‘Aa’ishah that Umm Habeebah and Umm
Salamah mentioned a church that they had seen in Abyssinia in which there
were images, to the Messenger of Allaah (blessings and peace of Allah be
upon him). The Messenger of Allaah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon
him) said: “Those people, if there was a righteous man among them and he
died, they would build a place of worship over his grave and put those
images in it. They will be the most evil of mankind before Allaah on the Day
of Resurrection.”

Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 427; Muslim, 528 

-3-

Avoiding that which may distract the worshipper. If an image
is in front of one who is praying, it may distract him and cause his mind to
wander, when the Muslim should seek to attain the highest degree of focus
and humility when standing before Allah, may He be exalted, in his prayer. 

It was narrated that Anas (may Allah be pleased with him)
said: ‘Aa’ishah had a patterned curtain with which she covered the side of
her house. The Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said:
“Take this patterned curtain of yours away from us because its images kept
distracting me in my prayer.”

Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 374, in Bab Kiraahiyyat al-salaah
fil tasaaweer. 

See also the answer to question number
161211.

And Allah knows best.