Ruling on Placing a Burning Lantern or Stick in Front of a Person in Prayer
Source: Fatāwā Rāshidiyyah, p. 291
❖ Question:
Is there any mention in hadith about placing a burning lantern (lamp) or a stick in front of a praying person?
❖ Answer:
الحمد لله، والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله، أما بعد!
- Placing a stick or similar object intentionally in front of a praying person (especially in an open space) is recommended so that it serves as a sutrah (barrier) and prevents people from passing directly in front of him.
- Therefore, placing a stick or similar item in front is not prohibited at all.
✿ Regarding a Burning Lantern
- As for a burning lantern, neither the Qur’an nor any hadith prohibits placing it in front of a praying person.
- Hence, there is no harm in placing a lantern in front, as prohibited acts are only those clearly forbidden by the Qur’an or Sunnah, while other matters remain permissible.
✿ Difference Concerning Fire in a Furnace
- Some scholars have discouraged or considered it disliked (makrūh) to pray facing a burning furnace, to avoid resemblance with the fire-worshippers (Majūs).
- However, no reliable statement of prohibition exists regarding a burning lantern.
Conclusion
- Placing a stick, lantern, or similar object in front of a person in prayer is permissible.
- The Qur’an and Sunnah contain no prohibition regarding a burning lantern, so declaring it impermissible would be baseless.
