A woman passing in front of a praying man and women praying in a crowd
Machine translationRead the Arabic original
The questioner:
A woman passed by me while I was praying a voluntary prayer at home. Does my prayer become invalid? Please note that, as you know, the Haram is extremely crowded.
The Shaykh:
In the Haram, the prayer does not become invalid. In al-Masjid al-Haram, no. But in your house, if she passes between you and your sutrah, your prayer becomes invalid. If it was an obligatory prayer, you must repeat it from the beginning. But if it was a voluntary prayer, the matter is lenient; you may repeat it or not. It becomes invalid. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:Bulugh al-Maram 2:98, meaning the adult woman, the donkey, and the black dog. Yes.
Another questioner:
The prayer is mixed with women, Shaykh. In the Haram.
The Shaykh:
It happens.
Another questioner:
It is permissible to pray with women.
The Shaykh:
Yes, but it is not befitting to leave them as they are. The responsible parties should strive so that the women are not behind the men.
Another questioner:
Sometimes the imam is one of them.
The Shaykh:
Except when there is no way to manage this crowd. It is beyond people’s control. The crowd overwhelms people, at least the general public. The multitude overcomes courage. And when it is...
Another questioner:
Good evening.
The Shaykh:
Yes. The same thing. Not in the Haram, only in al-Haram, specifically. Yes.
Another questioner:
Shaykh, if it is interrupted...
The Shaykh:
But if there is a crowd anywhere, if there is an inability to manage it, then fear Allah and seek His forgiveness. In al-Masjid al-Nabawi, in any place, if there is crowding and hardship, then[Al-Baqarah 2:286]. And in al-Masjid al-Nabawi. Yes.
Another questioner:
In al-Masjid al-Nabawi.
The Shaykh:
In the case of severe crowding. Otherwise, it is a duty in al-Masjid al-Haram to prevent passersby from entering al-Masjid al-Nabawi. But if the situation becomes severe and overwhelms people, it may be excused in severe crowding, even in places other than the mosque on the ground. Because Allah says:[At-Taghabun 64:16]. Yes.
Another questioner:
The responsible parties should employ women to plan the timing, because there is a lot of tabarruj (display of adornment) which is haram. Hmm.
The Shaykh:
One cannot say that Allah will guide them and help them. These nations, only Allah (Exalted and Majestic is He) gives them [guidance].
Another questioner:
The doors.
The Shaykh:
So you do not know; you prevent [them] at the door and search when they exit. There is no power nor strength except with Allah.
Another questioner:
Even the sacred sites.
The Shaykh:
Yes, we ask Allah to help. Yes. Thank you.
A woman passed by me while I was praying a voluntary prayer at home. Does my prayer become invalid? Please note that, as you know, the Haram is extremely crowded.
The Shaykh:
In the Haram, the prayer does not become invalid. In al-Masjid al-Haram, no. But in your house, if she passes between you and your sutrah, your prayer becomes invalid. If it was an obligatory prayer, you must repeat it from the beginning. But if it was a voluntary prayer, the matter is lenient; you may repeat it or not. It becomes invalid. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
In case there is not before him (an object) like the back of a saddle, a Muslim's Salat (prayer) would be cut off by (the passing of) a woman, a donkey and a black dog
يَقْطَعُ صَلَاةَ اَلْمَرْءِ اَلْمُسْلِمِ إِذَا لَمْ يَكُنْ بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ مِثْلُ مُؤْخِرَةِ اَلرَّحْلِ اَلْمَرْأَةُ وَالْحِمَارُ وَالْكَلْبُ اَلْأَسْوَدُAnother questioner:
The prayer is mixed with women, Shaykh. In the Haram.
The Shaykh:
It happens.
Another questioner:
It is permissible to pray with women.
The Shaykh:
Yes, but it is not befitting to leave them as they are. The responsible parties should strive so that the women are not behind the men.
Another questioner:
Sometimes the imam is one of them.
The Shaykh:
Except when there is no way to manage this crowd. It is beyond people’s control. The crowd overwhelms people, at least the general public. The multitude overcomes courage. And when it is...
Another questioner:
Good evening.
The Shaykh:
Yes. The same thing. Not in the Haram, only in al-Haram, specifically. Yes.
Another questioner:
Shaykh, if it is interrupted...
The Shaykh:
But if there is a crowd anywhere, if there is an inability to manage it, then fear Allah and seek His forgiveness. In al-Masjid al-Nabawi, in any place, if there is crowding and hardship, then
Allah does not charge a soul except [with that within] its capacity
لَا يُكَلِّفُ اللَّهُ نَفْسًا إِلَّا وُسْعَهَاAnother questioner:
In al-Masjid al-Nabawi.
The Shaykh:
In the case of severe crowding. Otherwise, it is a duty in al-Masjid al-Haram to prevent passersby from entering al-Masjid al-Nabawi. But if the situation becomes severe and overwhelms people, it may be excused in severe crowding, even in places other than the mosque on the ground. Because Allah says:
So fear Allah as much as you are able
فَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُمْAnother questioner:
The responsible parties should employ women to plan the timing, because there is a lot of tabarruj (display of adornment) which is haram. Hmm.
The Shaykh:
One cannot say that Allah will guide them and help them. These nations, only Allah (Exalted and Majestic is He) gives them [guidance].
Another questioner:
The doors.
The Shaykh:
So you do not know; you prevent [them] at the door and search when they exit. There is no power nor strength except with Allah.
Another questioner:
Even the sacred sites.
The Shaykh:
Yes, we ask Allah to help. Yes. Thank you.
Source
فتاوى الحج 1410 هـ - 17 — archive.org (1:00:34)
The Arabic text is a machine transcription of the audio recording.