Answered by Shaykh Abu Usamah
Does checking the time on a clock while one is praying invalidate one’s prayer? What sorts of “learning”, if any invalidates the prayer?
Al-Salam `alaykum
Checking the time on the clock whilst inprayer does not invalidate the prayer. However, it will be somewhat disliked todo so as this is a diversion of attention.
The Fuqha have statedthat intentionally looking at something written and understanding it’ doesnot invalidate the prayer. However it is against the etiquette of salah to doso, and would lessen one’s reward.
If the person has to verbally read whathe looks at then the salah will be invalidated.
Abu Usamah