Where should one look during prayer?

Scholars differed regarding the place of gaze during prayer. The Malikis held that it is recommended to gaze straight ahead, while others held that it is recommended to gaze towards the place of prostration, citing the Hadith of Ibn Sirin as evidence. Shareek ibn Abdullah al-Qadi mentioned different places of gaze depending on the pillars of prayer. Scholars agreed on the dislike of turning the head and raising the gaze, as it is a snatching by the devil, unless it is for a slight necessity, in which case it is not disliked. They also agreed that turning the head in a way that leads to facing away from the Qibla invalidates the prayer.