Ruling on Passing in Front of a Worshipper Praying Without a Sutrah
Question:
If an Imam or a follower (muqtadi) is praying without a sutrah (a barrier placed in front during Salah), what is the ruling on passing in front of them? Some people say one must avoid passing within one row, others say three rows. What is the correct opinion with evidence?
Answer by Fadheelat al-Bahith Dawood Ismail حفظه الله
According to the strongest and most correct opinion, it is permissible to pass in front of a praying person beyond the place of his prostration (moḍiʿ al-sujūd) — i.e., where the forehead touches the ground in sujūd.
Evidence:
No authentic Hadith specifies an exact measurement of "bayna yaday al-muṣallī" (in front of the praying person) in terms of rows or fixed distance. Therefore, scholars have exercised ijtihād and derived their opinions based on indirect evidences and reasoning.
Clarification:
There is a narration in which the Prophet ﷺ instructed to prevent someone from passing in front of a praying person — even to the extent of fighting them off — but this applies only to the area within a single row or up to the place of sujūd.
➤ Beyond this, the restriction no longer applies, and it would not be sinful to pass in front.
Scholarly Position:
This opinion is supported by Shaykh Ibn ʿUthaymīn رحمه الله, the renowned jurist of our era, who also maintained that passing beyond the place of prostration is permissible, especially when a sutrah is not present.
Conclusion:
✔ Passing in front of a praying person beyond the place of prostration is allowed
✔ There is no clear Hadith limiting the distance to one or three rows
✔ The area to avoid is only up to the point of sujūd
✔ This is the more correct and balanced view, adopted by senior scholars like Shaykh Ibn ʿUthaymīn رحمه الله
وَٱللَّهُ أَعْلَمُ
And Allah knows best.
