Fath al-Rabbani

Benefits: … These are various blessed ahadith related to this topic. Also, keep the following hadith in mind: It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abu Dharr radi Allahu anhu that the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said: When a person stands for prayer, anything as high as the rear end of a saddle can serve as a sutrah (barrier) for him. If there is nothing in front of him as high as the rear end of a saddle, then a donkey, a woman, and a black dog will cut off his prayer. (Sahih Muslim: 510) There is no doubt that, like other examples, the narration of Sayyidah Aishah radi Allahu anha in which she denies this will be attributed to her lack of knowledge, because the affirmative is given precedence over the negative, and there are several Companions who have narrated this hadith that a donkey, a dog, and a woman cut off the prayer. In any case, various interpretations of these ahadith have been presented; please reflect. First, we will quote the statements:

Imam Nawawi said in al-Khulasa: The majority, while reconciling and combining the various ahadith, have said that what is meant by “cutting off the prayer” is the removal of its khushu‘ (humility and concentration). Sayyiduna Ali, Sayyiduna Uthman, and Sayyiduna Ibn Umar are of the opinion that nothing that passes in front of the one praying can cut off his prayer. This is also the view of Imam Malik, Imam Shafi‘i, and the scholars of opinion (ashab al-ra’y). Whereas Sayyiduna Anas radi Allahu anhu and Hasan al-Basri have inclined to the view that a woman, a donkey, and a dog do in fact cut off the prayer. Hasan al-Basri presented the following hadith as evidence: The Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said: ((Yaqta‘u salata al-rajul idha lam yakun bayna yadayhi qidu akhirati al-rahli, al-himaru wa al-kalbu al-aswadu wa al-mar’ah)) meaning: If there is nothing in front of the one praying as high as the rear end of a saddle, then a donkey, a black dog, and a woman cut off his prayer. From Sayyiduna Abdullah ibn Abbas radi Allahu anhu it is narrated that a menstruating woman and a black dog cut off the prayer. Sayyidah Aishah radi Allahu anha, Imam Ahmad, and Imam Ishaq are of the opinion that only a black dog affects the prayer. These are the various opinions. In this regard, the following hadith is also worthy of consideration:

Sayyiduna Abu Sa‘id radi Allahu anhu narrates that the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said: ((La yaqta‘u al-salata shay’un, wa idra’u ma istata‘tum, fa innama huwa shaytan.)) Meaning: Nothing cuts off the prayer, and repel (the passerby) as much as you are able, for it is only Shaytan. (Abu Dawud: 719) In its chain is Mujalid ibn Sa‘id, who is weak in memory, but the following narrations strengthen it:

(1) It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abu Umamah radi Allahu anhu that the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said: ((La yaqta‘u al-salata shay’un.)) Meaning: Nothing cuts off the prayer. (Tabarani: 7688, Dar Qutni: 1/368) In its chain is ‘Ufayr ibn Ma‘dan, who is weak.

(2) It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah radi Allahu anhu that the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said: ((La yaqta‘u salata al-mar’i imra’atun, wa la kalbun, wa la himarun.)) Meaning: A man’s prayer is not cut off by a woman, nor a dog, nor a donkey. (Dar Qutni: 1/368)

(3) It is narrated from Sayyiduna Anas radi Allahu anhu that the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said: ((La yaqta‘u al-salata shay’un.)) Meaning: Nothing cuts off the prayer. (Dar Qutni: 1/367) These narrations also contain weakness.

(4) Sayyiduna Abdullah ibn Umar radi Allahu anhu said: Whatever passes in front of the one praying does not cut off his prayer. (Muwatta Imam Malik: 1/156, its chain is authentic according to the conditions of the two Shaykhs [Bukhari and Muslim])

(5) Sayyiduna Uthman and Sayyiduna Ali radi Allahu anhuma said: Nothing cuts off the prayer, but repel (the things passing) as much as you are able. (Ibn Abi Shaybah: 1/280, its chain is authentic) (See: 3241, 7983)

It appears that what is meant by the prayer being cut off by a menstruating woman, a dog, or a donkey is that the khushu‘ (humility) and reward of the prayer are diminished. The reason for this interpretation, along with the above ahadith, is also the following hadith:

It is narrated from Sayyiduna Sahl ibn Abi Hathmah radi Allahu anhu that the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said: ((Idha salla ahadukum ila sutrah fal-yadnu minha la yaqta‘u al-shaytanu ‘alayhi salatahu.)) (Abu Dawud: 695, al-Nasa’i: 2/62, Musnad Ahmad 16090) Meaning: When one of you prays towards a sutrah (barrier), let him come close to it so that Shaytan does not cut off his prayer. In this hadith as well, “cutting off” refers to a decrease in khushu‘ and reward. So, when the passing of Shaytan himself does not cut off the prayer, then the things likened to Shaytan should also not cut off the prayer. In summary, the worshipper should take care to have a sutrah in front of him. We have already explained in detail in the chapter on placing a sutrah in front of the worshipper and the ruling on passing behind it. However, if a menstruating woman, a donkey, or a dog passes in front of the worshipper, then his khushu‘ and reward are diminished.

The author of Fawa’idn himself has mentioned that it is established in a marfu‘ (Prophetic) manner from four Companions that the prayer is nullified by a woman, a dog, or a donkey passing in front of the worshipper. The author has refuted the understanding and reasoning of Aishah radi Allahu anha regarding the prayer not being nullified. All the narrations presented regarding the prayer not being nullified are weak.

The statements of Ibn Umar, Uthman, and Ali mentioned at the end, even if established by chain, are not a proof for us. Furthermore, these statements are contrary to authentic ahadith. Finally, the hadith of Sahl ibn Abi Hathmah is used as evidence that if the passing of Shaytan does not nullify the prayer, then how can the passing of something likened to Shaytan nullify the prayer? However, in this hadith it is stated that the worshipper should pray close to the sutrah so that it does not break his prayer (the translation is also given in this way). In this hadith, there is an indication that not being close to the sutrah results in the prayer being cut off, not that the prayer is not cut off. In any case, it is established from authentic, explicit, marfu‘ narrations that the prayer is cut off by a woman, a dog, or a donkey passing in front of the worshipper. (Abdullah Rafiq)