Ruling on Sutrah in Prayer
Source: Fatawa ‘Ilmiyyah, Vol. 1, Kitab al-Salah, p. 276
Question:
Is placing a Sutrah (barrier) during prayer obligatory?
Answer:
Wa ‘alaykum as-salam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh!
Alhamdulillah, wa-s-salatu wa-s-salamu ‘ala Rasulillah, amma ba‘d:
Ruling
Placing a Sutrah during prayer is Mustahabb (recommended) — it is a better practice, but not obligatory.
All Ahadith that:
◈ Encourage Sutrah
◈ Command Sutrah
◈ Forbid praying without a Sutrah
are understood in the sense of recommendation, not obligation.
Evidences
① Hadith of Ibn ‘Abbas (RA) – No Sutrah in Arafah
Sahih Ibn Khuzaymah (2/25, Hadith 838–839)
Ibn ‘Abbas (RA) said:
“We passed in front of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ at Arafah while he was offering the obligatory prayer, and there was nothing between us and him as a Sutrah.”
Authenticated by the editor of Sahih Ibn Khuzaymah.
② Supporting Report in al-Bazzar
Imam al-Bazzar narrated a similar report, mentioned by Ibn Hajar in Fath al-Bari (1/71), confirming the non-obligatory nature of Sutrah.
③ Consensus of the Jurists
Al-Fiqh al-Islami wa Adillatuhu (1/752):
“It is not obligatory by agreement of the jurists, because the command to take it is for recommendation (nadb).”
All four madhhabs agree that Sutrah is recommended, not compulsory.
④ Statement of Ibn Battal
Sharh Sahih al-Bukhari (2/175) — Ibn Battal affirms the recommendation of Sutrah, not its obligation.
⑤ Report in al-Bahr al-Zakhar
(11/201, Hadith 4951) — Narrations confirm that Sutrah was used by the Prophet ﷺ but not always, indicating recommendation.
⑥ Reference in Nasb al-Rayah
(2/82) — Imam Zayla‘i quotes multiple evidences showing Sutrah is Sunnah, not wajib.
⑦ General Practice of the Prophet ﷺ
He often placed a Sutrah but sometimes prayed without one, such as during the large gathering in Arafah.
⑧ Flexibility in Open Spaces
In open areas like Arafah, the Prophet ﷺ did not insist on a Sutrah, which shows it is not obligatory in every circumstance.
⑨ Lack of Prohibition for Leaving It
No authentic Hadith warns of sin for leaving the Sutrah, which would be expected if it were obligatory.
⑩ Continuous Practice of the Companions
The Companions sometimes prayed without Sutrah, without being condemned, proving it is not a condition for prayer validity.
Conclusion
✔ Sutrah in prayer is Sunnah Mu’akkadah (emphasized Sunnah), not obligatory.
✔ Using it is better and in line with the Prophet’s ﷺ practice, but leaving it does not invalidate the prayer.
(Reference: Shahadat, December 2000; al-I‘tisam Weekly, 27 June 1997)
ھذا ما عندي واللہ أعلم بالصواب
