Is the prayer of one who prays in a room where his brother is watching pictures or playing computer games accepted, given that no other place for prayer is available?
Prayer in a place with images is not invalid, but it is disliked (makrooh) and valid if it fulfills its conditions and pillars. Images and anything that distracts from devotion (khushoo') in prayer and occupies the heart of the worshiper are disliked. Therefore, the worshiper should not pray in a place where computer images are displayed to him or where he is distracted from his prayer by hearing its sound.
Al-Nawawi and Ibn Qudamah disliked praying in clothes that have images, a cross, or anything that distracts, citing the Hadith of Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "These markings distracted me, take them to Abu Jahm ibn Hudhaifah and bring me his plain garment." And his saying to her: "Remove this patterned curtain of yours from us, for its images keep appearing to me in my prayer."
If the images are behind the worshiper or on one of his sides, there is no dislike in that. One should seek the best place for prayer where the heart is present and devotion is more complete.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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