Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah

It is narrated from Hazrat Talha that the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: When any one of you wishes to perform prayer, he should place something in front of him equal to the height of a camel's saddle. Then, if anyone passes in front of him, he should not mind it.

It is narrated from Hazrat Abu Dharr that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: When any one of you begins to pray, if there is something in front of him equal to the back of a camel saddle, it will serve as his sutrah.

It is narrated from Hazrat Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both) that on the day of Eid, the Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) would plant a weapon made of iron in front of him and would lead the prayer facing towards it.

It is narrated from Hazrat Abu Juhaifa that the Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) offered prayer facing a small stick or something similar, while there was a passage in front of it.

Hazrat Mak’hool states that a small iron-made weapon of war used to be taken along with the Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) so that he could face it while performing prayer.

Hazrat Aswad narrates that Hazrat Umar would plant a small stick in front of him and perform prayer, and people would continue to pass in front of him.

Hazrat Abu Hurairah says that if a person offering prayer places something in front of him equal to the back wooden part of a camel saddle and as thick as a whip, it will serve as his sutrah.

A companion narrates that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: If there is something between you and those passing in front of you equal to the length of a camel saddle’s stick, then you have a sutrah.

It is narrated from Hazrat Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with both of them) that on the day of Eid, a weapon made of iron would be fixed in front of the Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), and facing towards it, he would lead the prayer.

Hazrat Abu Kathir narrates that I saw Hazrat Anas bin Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) performing prayer in Masjid al-Haram, having planted a staff in front of him.

Hazrat Mughira says that it was the practice of Hazrat Rabi’ bin Khuthaym that whenever the heat would become intense, he would plant a spear in his house and perform prayer facing towards it.

Hazrat Abu Alia states that the person offering prayer should use as a sutrah something larger than the staff of a flag.

Hazrat Saeed bin Jubair says that when you pray in an open place, place your whip in front of you and then pray.

Hazrat Thabit bin Qais says that I saw Hazrat Nafi' bin Jubair praying during a journey facing towards a whip or a staff.

Hazrat Mak’hool says that the one performing prayer should face towards the wooden frame of the saddle while praying.

Hasan and Hazrat Qatadah say that if there is something like the wooden frame of a camel-litter in front of the person praying, then it is considered a sutrah.

Hasan says that the river is a sutrah (barrier).

Ibrahim says that the predecessors liked that when some people prayed in an open place, they should place something in front of them as a sutrah.

A companion narrates that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: When any one of you prays, he should place something as a sutrah in front of him, even if it is only an arrow.

Hazrat Yazid bin Abi Ubaid says that Hazrat Salamah placed some stones one above the other in a desert, and when he wanted to pray, he would face them and perform the prayer.

Hazrat Isa bin Abi Azza says that Hazrat Sha'bi would place his whip and then perform prayer facing towards it.