The Imam’s Sutrah Is Sufficient for the Followers
This article is derived from the book Sutrah: Brief Rulings and Issues, compiled by respected Qazi Ibrahim Sharif.
❀ Chapter Title by Imam al-Bukhari رحمه الله
“The Sutrah of the Imam Is the Sutrah for Those Behind Him”
(باب: سترة الإمام سترة من خلفه)
❀ Hadith of Ibn Abbas رضي الله عنهما
عن عبد الله بن عباس رضي الله عنهما:
“I came riding a she-donkey while I had nearly reached the age of puberty, and the Messenger of Allah ﷺ was leading the people in prayer at Mina, without a wall in front of him. I passed in front of a portion of the row (of worshippers), dismounted, let the donkey graze, and joined the prayer row. No one objected to my action.”
(‘Umdah al-Qari 2/569, Sahih al-Bukhari – Book of Prayer)
❀ Understanding the Hadith
This narration indicates that if the Imam is praying with a Sutrah, then passing in front of the rows behind him is permissible.
Imam al-Bukhari رحمه الله interpreted that the Prophet ﷺ was indeed praying toward something that acted as a Sutrah, even though it was not a wall, as clearly indicated by the Hadith's wording “إلى غير جدار” (“toward something other than a wall”).
Hence, when Ibn Abbas رضي الله عنهما passed in front of part of the congregation, no one objected, because all were praying behind the Sutrah of the Imam.
❀ Linguistic Insight: “غير جدار”
The phrase “إلى غير جدار” is critical here. The Arabic word “غير” is used to describe something—i.e., it is an adjective, not a negation. Therefore, the implied phrase would be:
“يصلي بالناس بمنى إلى شيء غير جدار”
“The Messenger of Allah ﷺ was leading people in prayer at Mina, facing something other than a wall.”
This interpretation is supported by the general practice of the Prophet ﷺ, who would always establish a Sutrah when praying in an open area. So, the understanding attributed to Imam al-Bukhari رحمه الله aligns perfectly with the Sunnah.
❀ No Objection Indicates Sutrah Was Present
The fact that Ibn Abbas رضي الله عنهما said “no one objected to me” is further proof for Imam al-Bukhari رحمه الله’s position. Since the Sutrah was in place, there was no valid reason for anyone to object, hence none did.
❀ Commentary by Al-‘Ayni رحمه الله
Al-‘Ayni رحمه الله writes while commenting on the Hadith:
“The phrase ‘إلى غير جدار’ proves that there was indeed a Sutrah, because the word ‘غير’ is always descriptive. Thus, the implied meaning is: ‘He was facing something other than a wall’—that thing could have been a stick, a spear, or some other object.”
(Bab: Sutrah of the Imam is the Sutrah of those behind him – Hadith: 495, Sahih Muslim: 503)
❀ Shah Waliullah Dehlawi رحمه الله’s Explanation
Shah Waliullah Dehlawi رحمه الله explains in his Sharh Tarajim al-Bukhari:
“Imam al-Bukhari رحمه الله’s objective with this chapter title is to demonstrate that the Imam’s Sutrah is sufficient for the followers (muqtadis). Thus, if someone were to pass in front of the rows (behind the Imam’s Sutrah), he would not be sinful.”
❀ Statement of Shaykh al-Hadith Mawlana Ubaydullah Mubarakpuri رحمه الله
He states:
قلت: حمل البخاري لفظ الغير على النعت، والبيهقي على النفي المحض، وما اختاره البخاري هنا أولى، فإن التعرض لنفي الجدار خاصة يدل على أنه كان هناك شيء مغاير للجدار...
(Mirqat al-Mafatih, Vol. 1, p. 515)
“Imam al-Bukhari رحمه الله understood the word ‘غير’ as an adjective (i.e., descriptive), while Imam al-Bayhaqi رحمه الله took it as pure negation. However, what Imam al-Bukhari adopted here is more appropriate. The specific negation of a ‘wall’ indicates that there was something else in place of it acting as a Sutrah.”
✿ Summary of Key Points:
① The Imam’s Sutrah acts as a Sutrah for all followers praying behind him.
② Ibn Abbas رضي الله عنهما passed in front of a row during prayer, and no one objected, indicating that no sin occurs when a Sutrah exists in front of the Imam.
③ The phrase “إلى غير جدار” (towards something other than a wall) implies that another Sutrah was present.
④ Linguistic analysis supports the view of Imam al-Bukhari رحمه الله that the Prophet ﷺ was facing a Sutrah, even if it was not a wall.
⑤ Scholars like Shah Waliullah and Ubaydullah Mubarakpuri endorsed Imam al-Bukhari’s interpretation as the stronger and more accurate understanding.
وما علينا إلا البلاغ
Our duty is only to convey.
We ask Allah to grant us deep understanding of the Sunnah, and the ability to implement it correctly in our worship. Ameen.
