❖ Facing the Qiblah in Salah
Allah ﷻ says:﴿وَحَيْثُ مَا كُنتُمْ فَوَلُّوا وُجُوهَكُمْ شَطْرَهُ﴾
“So wherever you are, turn your faces toward al-Masjid al-Haram.”
(Surah Al-Baqarah: 144)
Whenever the Prophet ﷺ intended to perform a Fard (obligatory) prayer, he would dismount from his ride and face the Qiblah.
(Sahih Bukhari 1099)
If one is in a place where the exact Qiblah direction is not visible, it is sufficient to face the general direction. The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Between the east and west is Qiblah.”
(Tirmidhi 344, 342; Ibn Majah 1011)
❖ Using a Sutrah (Barrier) in Salah
Definition:A sutrah refers to an object placed in front of the worshiper during Salah, acting as a barrier to prevent people from passing directly in front and thereby disturbing the prayer or incurring sin. It can be a stick, spear, wall, pillar, or even a tree — essentially anything that forms a vertical block.
Imam Ibn Hibban رحمه الله said:
“It should be in a vertical position, not horizontal.”
(Sahih Ibn Hibban 2377)
❖ Importance of the Sutrah
The Prophet ﷺ said:«إذا قام أحدكم يصلي ، فإنه يستره إذا كان بين يديه مثل آخرة الرحل»
“When one of you prays, he should use something like the rear end of a camel saddle as a barrier in front of him.”
(Sahih Muslim 510)
He also said:
«لا تصل إلا إلى سترة»
“Do not pray except towards a Sutrah.”
(Ibn Khuzaymah 775, Ibn Hibban 2362)
Note:Placing a Sutrah in front of oneself during prayer is recommended (mustahabb) but not obligatory (wājib). This is because the Prophet ﷺ was also seen praying without a sutrah.
Ibn Abbas رضي الله عنه said:
“I once came with a boy from Banu Hashim riding a donkey, and the Prophet ﷺ was leading prayer. We dismounted, left the donkey to graze, and joined the prayer. When asked if there was a spear (sutrah) in front of the Prophet ﷺ, we said: ‘No.’”
(Sahih Bukhari 493)
According to Imam Shafi'i and Imam al-Bayhaqi, this indicates that praying without a Sutrah is permissible, and thus, the majority of scholars consider it recommended, not compulsory.
(Sunan al-Bayhaqi, Subul al-Salam 1/329; Fiqh al-Sunnah 1/224)
❖ Grave Sin of Passing in Front of a Worshiper
The Prophet ﷺ said:“If the one passing in front of a worshiper knew what a sin it is, he would stand still for forty (years, months, or days — the narrator was unsure), and that would be better than passing in front of him.”
(Bukhari 510; Muslim 507)
❖ Preventing Someone from Crossing Your Sutrah
The Prophet ﷺ instructed:“If someone places a barrier and someone tries to cross in front of him, he should prevent him. If he persists, fight him, for he is a devil.”
(Bukhari 509; Muslim 505)
❖ Distance Between the Worshiper and the Sutrah
Sahl ibn Sa’d رضي الله عنه said:“The space between the Prophet ﷺ and the wall (sutrah) was such that a sheep could pass.”
(Bukhari 496; Muslim 508)
❖ Size of the Sutrah
The Prophet ﷺ said:«مثل موخرة الرحل»
“It should be equal in height to the rear part of a camel’s saddle.”
(Muslim 499)
Note:Ata’ رحمه الله said:
“The rear end of the camel saddle is about one hand-span or a little more.”
(Abu Dawood 686)
❖ Important Rulings Regarding Sutrah
✔ The Imam’s Sutrah is sufficient for all followers.(Bukhari, before Hadith 493)
✔ It is permissible to pray behind a seated or lying person, such as Aisha رضي الله عنها, and their movement does not affect the prayer.
(Bukhari 513; Muslim 512)
✔ Animals may be used as a Sutrah.
(Muslim 502)
