Ruling on Using a Sutrah in an Open Area
This article is derived from the book Sutrah: Brief Rulings and Issues, compiled by respected Qazi Ibrahim Sharif.
① Hadith of Abdullah ibn Umar رضي الله عنهما
قال عبد الله بن عمر رضي الله عنهما:
إن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم كان إذا خرج يوم العيد أمر بالحربة، فتوضع بين يديه، فيصلي إليها والناس وراءه، وكان يفعل ذلك في السفر، فمن ثم اتخذها الأمراء
Sahih al-Bukhari – Book of Prayer – Chapter: The Sutrah of the Imam Is the Sutrah of Those Behind Him (Hadith: 494)
Sahih Muslim: 501
“Whenever the Messenger of Allah ﷺ went out for Eid (prayer), he would command that a spear be placed in front of him, and he would pray facing it, while the people stood behind him. He did the same while traveling. This practice was later adopted by the rulers as well.”
② Hadith Regarding ‘Anzah (Short Spear) as Sutrah
Narrated by Abu Humaid رضي الله عنه:
خرج علينا رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم بالهاجرة، فأُتي بوضوء، فتوضأ، فصلى بنا الظهر والعصر وبين يديه عنزة، والمرأة والحمار يمرون من ورائها
Sahih al-Bukhari – Book of Prayer – Chapter: Prayer Toward a Short Spear (‘Anzah) (Hadith: 499)
“The Messenger of Allah ﷺ came to us during the scorching midday heat. Water for ablution was brought to him, and he performed ablution. Then he led us in Zuhr and ‘Asr prayers, and in front of him was placed an ‘Anzah (short spear). Women and donkeys passed beyond it.”
③ Hadith of Ali ibn Abi Talib رضي الله عنه – Incident at Badr
Narrated by Amir al-Mu’minin Ali رضي الله عنه:
لقد رأيتنا ليلة بدر وما منا إنسان إلا نائم إلا رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم، فإنه كان يصلي إلى شجرة ويدعو حتى أصبح، وما كان منا فارس يوم بدر غير المقداد بن الأسود
Musnad Ahmad – Hadith: 1161, Chain: Authentic, Hadith No: 599
“On the night of (the battle of) Badr, I saw that every one of us was asleep except the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. He was praying facing a tree and supplicating until morning. On the day of Badr, none among us was mounted except al-Miqdad ibn al-Aswad.”
✿ Summary of Key Points:
① The Prophet ﷺ would use a Sutrah even in open areas—such as during Eid or while traveling. He would have a spear placed in front of him and lead the people in prayer behind it.
② The Prophet ﷺ also used an ‘Anzah (short spear) as a Sutrah during regular prayers, and people would pass beyond it without issue.
③ During the night of Badr, the Prophet ﷺ used a tree as a Sutrah and continued praying until dawn, indicating that even when alone and in a battlefield, he observed the practice of having a Sutrah.
Conclusion:
These authentic narrations prove that the ruling of using a Sutrah applies equally in open spaces, not just inside mosques or buildings. The Prophet ﷺ consistently observed this Sunnah, whether in congregational prayer, travel, or solitude, reinforcing the importance of establishing a Sutrah in all scenarios.
وما علينا إلا البلاغ
Our responsibility is only to convey.
May Allah grant us the ability to uphold the Sunnah in all aspects of worship, including the correct observance of the Sutrah. Ameen.
