STATUS OF “SUTRAH” FOR SALAT; CAN A LINING BECOME A SUTRAH?”
By: Allama Abdul Aziz Bin Abdullah Bin Baz
QUESTION: Many people take extreme position, with regard to Sutrah (Shield) to the extent that after entering the mosque if they do not find a pillar vacant to act as their Sutrah, they keep awaiting for it and condemn those who happen to observe Salat without Sutrah; whereas certain other people are negligent about Sutrah. What is righteous position in this regard? If nothing is available for placing it as Sutrah, can a line-marking replace it? And, is there any proof found in Shariah in Support of it?
ANSWER: Observing Salat by placing a Sutrah is not incumbent, but only a Sunnate Muakkidah (stressfully orderdereus tradition). If nothing is available for digging it in the ground, it is sufficient to draw a lining and its proof is available in the form of following Hadith “When one of you pray facing a Sutrah he should keep close to it, and not let the devil interrupt his prayer.” In another tradition he (may blessing and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “A women, an ass and a dog disrupt the prayer, but something like the back of a saddle guards against that. (Saheeh Muslim)
In another Hadith the Holy Prophet (may blessing and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “When one you pray, he should put something in front of his face, and if he can find nothing, he should set up his staff; but if he has no staff; he should draw a line; what passes in front of him will not harm him”.
Hafiz Ibn-e-Hajar says in Bulooghul Maram that it is proven from the Holy Prophet (may blessing and peace of Allah be upon him) that sometimes he (may blessing and peace of Allah be upon him) observed salat without Sutrah, and this is an obvious proof that placing a Sutrah is not incumbent.
However, a salat in Masjide Haram is exempted from it. For person observing Salat in Masjid-e-Haram there is no need of placing a Sutrah, as it is proven from Abdullah Bin Zubair (may Allah be happy with him) that he used to observe salat in Masjide Haram without placing a sutrah and the people circumblation (doing tawaf) to pass in front of him. Simlarly, a Hadith on the same impact is also reported from the Prophet (may blessing and peace of Allah be upon him), abet with weak testimonies. Requirement of Shariah for a Sutrah in Masjid-e-Haram is also void because this place is crowded and it become impossible to avoid passing in front of a person observing Salat. The same injunction applies to Masjid-e-Nabawi and other mosque at the time of overcrowding. Allah the Most High, commands:(So keep your duty to Allah and fear Him as much as you can)” (Surah Al-Taghabun: 16)
And the Prophet of Allah said; “When I forbid you from doing anything, totally abstain from doing the same and when I prescribe anything for you, carry it out according to your capacity”. (Saheeh Bukhari & Saheeh Muslim)