The Ruling on the Sutrah in Prayer
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Does one commit a sin by leaving out the sutrah in prayer?
If we say: It is obligatory, and one who leaves it out has sinned. However, the correct view is that it is not obligatory, but rather a confirmed recommended practice (sunnah muakkadah), except for the one praying behind an imam, who does not take a sutrah; for the imam’s sutrah serves as his sutrah. Accordingly, the one who prays without a sutrah does not commit a sin.
If we say: It is obligatory, and one who leaves it out has sinned. However, the correct view is that it is not obligatory, but rather a confirmed recommended practice (sunnah muakkadah), except for the one praying behind an imam, who does not take a sutrah; for the imam’s sutrah serves as his sutrah. Accordingly, the one who prays without a sutrah does not commit a sin.