QUESTION:

Does looking at the time (wrist watch/clock) during salah break it?

And what’s the general principle in regards to taking knowledge from outside salah?

ANSWER:

In the name of Allah, Most Compassionate, Most Merciful,

In principle, reading in the mind, something that is written, and understanding it during ṣalāh, will not render the ṣalāh invalid. Nevertheless, such an act is disliked and against the etiquettes of ṣalāh.

As such, looking at the time during ṣalāh, will not invalidate the ṣalāh. Though, doing this is disliked and against the etiquettes of ṣalāh.

And Allah, the Almighty, knows best,