Sutra & Salaah

What is a Sutra?

Something used by a person performing Salaat (as a barrier) between himself and one passing in-front-of him.

What is its legal ruling?

It is compulsory, and whoever disregards it, has committed a sin.

Is it permissible to stay far away from it (the Sutra)?

No! And whoever stays further than three forearms2 length away from it, has sinned and has placed his Salaat in a position to have it spoilt by Shaitan

The smallest size that the Sutra can be It is the height of one forearm(*1) above the place of Salaat—because that is about the height of the rear end of a camel’s saddle. As for its width, there is no stipulated size. One can, therefore, use something even as thin as an arrow or a spear. It is not ermissible, however, to take a sutra less than the height of the rear of a camel’s saddle.

Exempted from placing a Sutra in front-of him while making Salaat.

Only those performing Salaat behind an Imaam.

Someone passing in front of a person performing Salaat

Passing in front of a person performing Salat is among the major Sins that warrant the punishment of the Hell fire. This verdict applies, if he passes between the Sutra and the person performing Salaat, or closer than three forearms’ length to the person who has no Sutra in front of him. Because three forearms’ length is the furthest distance which one can stay away from a Sutra.

Is anyone exempted from this verdict?

Yes, the one passing through the rows in congregational Salaat, is exempted.

What to do if someone tries to pass in front of the person performing Salaat

If anyone tries to pass in front of a person performing Salaat, he must prevent him from doing so. If he insists, then push him away, and if he persists, then fight him without using a weapon. If, in the event of his fighting him to prevent him from passing, he dies (accidentally), then there is no sin on the one who caused his death, and no penalty nor blood money nor expiation is demanded of him. This is so, whether the person was performing Salaat, towards a Sutra, or without a Sutra. If they dispute with each other, the matter is taken to court. (i. e. before the judge). This is because that person (deliberately) passing in front of another who is performing Salaat, is possessed by evil.

Source:
http://www.tarhuni.com/SUTRA.doc

Hadith on the Sutra

Sahih Al-Bukhari, Vol. 1, No. 489; Narrated Busr bin Said that Zaid bin Khalid sent him to Abi Juhaim to ask him what he had heard from Allah’s Apostle about a person passing in front of another person who was praying. Abu Juhaim replied, "Allah’s Apostle said, ‘If the person who passes in front of another person in prayer knew the magnitude of his sin he would prefer to wait for 40 (days, months or years) rather than to pass in front of him." Abu An-Nadr said,"I do not remember exactly whether he said 40 days, months or years.

Sahih Al-Bukhari, Vol. 1, No. 373; Narrated Abu Juhaifa I saw Allah’s Apostle in a red leather tent and I saw Bilal taking the remaining water with which the Prophet had performed ablution. I saw the people taking the utilized water impatiently and whoever got some of it rubbed it on his body and those who could not get any took the moisture from the others’ hands. Then I saw Bilal carrying an ‘Anza (a spearheaded stick) which he planted in the ground. The Prophet came out tucking up his red cloak, and led the people in prayer and offered two Rakat (facing the Ka’ba) taking ‘Anza as a Sutra for his prayer. I saw the people and animals passing in front of him beyond the ‘Anza.

Sahih Al-Bukhari, Vol. 1, No. 422; Narrated Nafi "I saw Ibn ‘Umar praying while taking his camel as a Sutra in front of him and he said, "I saw the Prophet doing the same."

Sahih Al-Bukhari, Vol. 1, No. 473; Narrated Ibn Umar Whenever Allah’s Apostle came out on ‘Id day, he used to order that a Harba (a short spear) to be planted in front of him (as a Sutra for his prayer) and then he used to pray facing it with the people behind him and used to do the same while on a journey. After the Prophet, this practice was adopted by the Muslim rulers (who followed his traditions).

Sahih Al-Bukhari, Vol. 1, No. 474; Narrated Aun bin Abi Juhaifa I heard my father saying, "The Prophet led us, and prayed a two-Rak’at Zuhr prayer and then a two-Rak’at ‘Asr prayer at Al-Batha’ with an ‘Anza (planted) in front of him (as a Sutra) while women and donkeys were passing in front of him (beyond that ‘Anza)."

Sahih Al-Bukhari, Vol. 1, No. 477; Narrated Abdullah The Prophet used to get a Harba planted in front of him (as a Sutra) and pray behind it.

Sahih Al-Bukhari, Vol. 1, No. 485; Narrated Nafi "The Prophet used to make his she-camel sit across and he would pray facing it (as a Sutra)." I asked, "What would the Prophet do if the she-camel was provoked and moved?" He said, "He would take its camel-saddle and put it in front of him and pray facing its back part (as a Sutra). And Ibn ‘Umar used to do the same." (This indicates that one should not pray except behind a Sutra).

Sahih Al-Bukhari, Vol. 1, No. 488; Narrated Abu Salih As Samman I saw Abu Said Al-Khudri praying on a Friday, behind something which acted as a Sutra. A young man from Bani Abi Mu’ait, wanted to pass in front of him, but Abu Said repulsed him with a push on his chest. Finding no alternative he again tried to pass but Abu Said pushed him with a greater force. The young man abused Abu Said and went to Marwan and lodged a complaint against Abu Said and Abu Said followed the young man to Marwan who asked him, "O Abu Said! What has happened between you and the son of your brother?" Abu Sa’id said to him, "I heard the Prophet saying, ‘If anybody amongst you is praying behind something as a Sutra and somebody tries to pass in front of him, then he should repulse him and if he refuses, he should use force against him for he is a satan.’ "

posted by Abdullah Mohammed Mar 3, 09:52 AM.