Is It Permissible to Pass in Front of a Worshipper in the Sacred Ka‘bah? – Detailed Ruling
Source: Qur’an o Hadees Ki Roshni Mein Ahkam o Masail – Volume 01
Question:
Is it allowed to pass in front of someone performing prayer inside the Sacred Ka‘bah (Baitullah)?
Answer:
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa-s-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, Ammā Baʿd!
It is permissible to pass in front of a worshipper performing prayer in the Sacred Ka‘bah.
Hadith Reference:
In Muntaqā, a narration is reported from Muṭṭalib ibn Abī Wada‘ah رضي الله عنه:
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to pray inside the Sacred Ka‘bah near the gate of Banī Salimah — that is, in front of the Black Stone — and people would pass in front of him, with nothing serving as a sutrah (barrier) between him and the Ka‘bah.
Ruling Derived from This Hadith:
◈ This narration indicates that the rule of sutrah (barrier in front of the worshipper) does not apply inside the Sacred Ka‘bah.
◈ The reason is clear: in the Sacred Mosque, ṭawāf around the Ka‘bah is continuous, prayers are performed at all times, and there is a constant crowd. Thus, arranging a sutrah is practically impossible.
Authenticity and Juristic Practice:
◈ Although there is some weakness in the chain of this narration, the practical consensus (‘amalī ittifāq) of all schools of thought supports it.
◈ Furthermore, the element of necessity (due to the continuous crowd) strengthens this ruling.
◈ Therefore, in light of these evidences, the Sacred Ka‘bah can be considered an exception to the general sutrah requirement.
Wallāhu A‘lam
