praying Namaz with my eyes closed?

Ibn al-Qayyim said: "The correct position is: if keeping one's eyes open does not affect one's attention, then it is preferred to keep them open; however, if there is something in front of the person, such as some ornament or decoration, which could affect his attention, then it is, in no way, disliked to close his eyes. In fact, under such circumstances, to say it is preferred to close one's eyes is more consistent with the principles and goals of the shar'iah than to say that it is disliked."

Salam. I could not find any hadith in the book of hadith written by Imam Bukhari which told that Muhammad pbuh closed his eyes when he made or raised prayer (namaz) That is why it is better if you open your eyes while praying.Your brother opinion is right. For helping you in your concentration

in your namaz,I advise you please focus your eyes into the end of your prayer mat and understand the meaning of each verse you recited during namaz such the verses of Al Fatihah and another surah. You should say audzubillah hee minsyaitan nir rojeem when you will start the Al Fatihah in your heart.It means you ask for Allah's protection from syaitan's temptation. Your mind will not be focused on your namaz because you are disturbed by syaitans Namaz should be made in ikhlash condition. You must forget your worldly problem before starting namaz.

The main aim to establish Namaz is to purify our "self". To become more obedient to Allah. To refrain from the things which has been forbidden in Quran. More so, keep your eyes open, you might crush some ant roaming at your prayer mat.

What is the ruling on closing the eyes when praying?

Praise be to Allaah.

The scholars are agreed that it is makrooh to close the eyes for no reason when praying. The author of al-Rawd stated that it is makrooh because this is what the Jews do. (al-Rawd al-Murabba’, 1/95). The authors of Manaar al-Sabeel and al-Kaafi stated likewise, and added that it looks as if the person is asleep. (Manaar al-Sabeel, 1/66; al-Kaafi, 1/285). The author of al-Iqnaa’ stated that it is makrooh unless there is a reason for doing so, such as fear of seeing something one should not be looking at whilst praying, such as seeing one’s concubine or wife, or a non-mahram woman, naked. (al-Iqnaa’, 1/127; al-Mughni, 2/30). The author of al-Mughni said likewise.

The author of Tuhfat al-Mulook said that it is makrooh without discussing the ruling when there is a need to do it. (Tuhfat al-Mulook, 1/84). Al-Kaasaani said: it is makrooh because it goes against the Sunnah, which is to focus the gaze on the place of prostration, and because all of a person’s faculties have a role to play in worship, including the eyes. (Badaa’i’ al-Sanaa’i’, 1/503). The author of Maraaqi al-Falaah stated that it is makrooh unless done for a purpose. He said, closing the eyes may be preferable to looking in some cases (Maraaqi al-Falaah, 1/343).

Imaam al-‘Izz ibn ‘Abd al-Salaam said in his fatwas that it is permissible when necessary, if that helps the worshipper to focus more fully on his prayer. Ibn al-Qayyim said in Zaad al-Ma’aad that if a man can focus more fully on his prayer by opening his eyes, then it is better to do so. If he can focus more fully by closing his eyes because there are things that may distract him from his prayer, such as adornments and decorations, then it is not makrooh at all and the view that in this case it is mustahabb for him to close his eyes is closer to the aims and principles of sharee’ah than saying that it is makrooh. (Zaad al-Ma’aad, 1/283).

And Allah knows best

I heard that we aren't allowed to close our eyes while praying.

Don't quote me on that.

I really don't know if you are allowed to or not. Sometimes I do it. Did he explain why you cannot, or is it just for your own "benefit"? I'm not sure.

Nothing's wrong, if its based on intentions of good.