Ruling on the Sutrah in Prayer and Its Required Size
Source: Fatāwā Arkān al-Islām
Question
What is the ruling on using a sutrah during prayer, and what should be its size?
Answer
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa-s-salāmu ‘alā Rasūlillāh, ammā ba‘d:
Using a sutrah during prayer is a Sunnah Mu’akkadah.
However, for the muqtadī (follower in congregation), having a separate sutrah is not Sunnah because he suffices with the imām’s sutrah.
Maximum Size of the Sutrah
When the Prophet ﷺ was asked about the size of the sutrah, he said:
«مِثْلَ مُؤْخِرَةِ الرَّحْلِ»
“Like the back part of a camel’s saddle.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, ḥadīth 599)
This is the upper limit for the sutrah’s height.
Minimum Size of the Sutrah
The Prophet ﷺ said:
«إِذَا صَلَّى أَحَدُكُمْ فَلْيَسْتَتِرْ لِصَلَاتِهِ وَلَوْ بِسَهْمٍ»
“When any of you prays, let him take a sutrah for his prayer, even if it be like an arrow.”
(Musnad Aḥmad, 3/404; Ṣaḥīḥ Ibn Khuzaymah, ḥadīth 811)
If Nothing Is Available
If a worshipper finds nothing to use as a sutrah, then:
«مَنْ لَمْ يَجِدْ فَلْيَخُطَّ خَطًّا»
“If he does not find anything, then let him draw a line.”
(Sunan Abī Dāwūd, ḥadīth 689; Sunan Ibn Mājah, ḥadīth 943; Ṣaḥīḥ Ibn Khuzaymah, 2/12, ḥadīth 811)
Scholarly View
Ḥāfiẓ Ibn Ḥajar رحمه الله in Bulūgh al-Marām stated:
- Whoever claimed this ḥadīth is muḍṭarib (defective) is incorrect, as there is no flaw in it requiring rejection.
Conclusion
- Minimum size: a line on the ground.
- Maximum size: the height of the back of a camel’s saddle.
هٰذا ما عندي والله أعلم بالصواب
