What is the ruling on women passing in front of the praying congregation during the congregational prayer in the Haram, and does their passing invalidate the prayer?

Question:
The questioner says: Some women pass in front of the praying congregation during the congregational prayer. Does this invalidate the prayer, based on the hadith of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) that a woman and a black dog invalidate the prayer?

Answer:
And a donkey. Yes, regarding the Sacred Mosque and crowded areas, passing in front does not invalidate the prayer, and passing is not prohibited, because this would harm the people. This is a place of dire necessity with severe crowds, in the Sacred Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque. You cannot prevent people from passing; this is a dire necessity, and they need to pass. Look at yourself: if you need to go out or move, you must pass in front of people, because dire necessity requires this. However, if it is other than the Sacred Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque, it is not permissible to pass in front of the one praying, and it is not permissible for the one praying to allow passersby to pass, unless he is a ma'mum (one praying behind the imam). Note this: if the imam’s sutrah is sufficient for the ma'mum, then it is sufficient.