Ruling on Passing in Front of the Row During Salah in Light of Hadith
Source: Aḥkām wa Masā’il – Discussion on Sutrah, Volume 1, Page 122
❖ Question
When the congregation is in prayer and the Imam has a sutrah in front of him, can a person coming from outside pass behind the Imam but in front of the rows of followers? Please explain this ruling in the light of hadith.
❖ Answer
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa-s-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, Ammā Baʿd!
If the congregation is engaged in prayer and the Imam has a sutrah before him, then the following rulings apply:
Situations Where Passing Is Permissible
◈ Passing in front of the sutrah, on the qiblah side, is permissible.
◈ Passing behind all the rows is also permissible.
In these cases, one does not pass between the worshipper and his sutrah, so there is no prohibition.
Situations Where Passing Is Not Permissible
◈ Passing between the Imam and his sutrah is strictly forbidden.
◈ Passing behind the Imam but in front of the rows is also not permissible.
In these cases, one is passing between the worshippers and their sutrah, which is explicitly forbidden in authentic aḥādīth and is considered a sin.
An Exceptional Case
◈ Passing from the sides of the row (right or left) in order to reach the Imam is allowed, provided one does not cross directly in front of the Imam.
This situation does not fall under the prohibition of passing between the worshipper and his sutrah.
◈ Evidence
All these rulings are based on the aḥādīth which state that passing between a worshipper and his sutrah is a sin.
- Where permission is given, it does not involve passing between the worshipper and his sutrah.
- Where prohibition applies, it is exactly because it involves passing in that forbidden space.
Conclusion:- Passing in front of the Imam’s sutrah or behind the rows is allowed.
- Passing between the Imam and sutrah or in front of the rows while Salah is ongoing is prohibited.
- Passing from the sides (without crossing the Imam) is permissible.
"ھذا ما عندي والله أعلم بالصواب"
