What is the ruling on the sutrah for the one praying, and does a line serve as a substitute for the sutrah?
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The questioner : This questioner says, “O honorable Shaykh, what is the ruling on the sutrah for the one praying, given that some people are lax about it, and does a line serve as a substitute for the sutrah?”
The Shaykh : The sutrah for the ma'mum (one praying behind the imam) is not prescribed, because the imam's sutrah serves as a sutrah for him and for those behind him. As for the imam and the one praying alone, it is prescribed (mashru') that he should not pray except facing a sutrah, but it is not obligatory according to the stronger position held by the majority of scholars. This is based on the hadith of Ibn 'Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him and him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used to pray in Mina without a wall, while riding on a female donkey. He passed in front of some of the rows, and no one criticized him for that. His statement "without a wall" — some scholars said that he (may Allah be pleased with him) meant "without a sutrah," because it was the norm in the time of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) that there was no construction in Mina. And based on the hadith of Abu Sa'idSahih al-Bukhari 509, his statement indicates that praying facing a sutrah is not obligatory; otherwise, there would have been no need for the qualification. Accordingly, the command regarding the sutrah is a command for recommendation (mandub), not for obligation. This is the stronger position regarding adopting a sutrah.
As for the questioner's statement about whether a line is sufficient, we say that it has been narrated from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) that he ordered the adoption of a sutrah and saidSunan Ibn Majah 943Da’if (Darussalam). Some scholars criticized this hadith and attacked it as being confused (mutadarrab). However, Ibn Hajar in *Bulugh al-Maram* said "He who said it is confused is mistaken; rather, it is good (hasan)".
Accordingly, if a person does not have anything solid to place as a sutrah, let him draw a line. And if he does not have a sutrah, he has the right to the space up to where his prostration ends, and he has no right to prevent people from passing beyond that, unless he is praying on a prayer mat or something similar, in which case he has the right to prevent anyone from passing over that prayer mat. Yes.
The questioner : May Allah bless you.
The Shaykh : The sutrah for the ma'mum (one praying behind the imam) is not prescribed, because the imam's sutrah serves as a sutrah for him and for those behind him. As for the imam and the one praying alone, it is prescribed (mashru') that he should not pray except facing a sutrah, but it is not obligatory according to the stronger position held by the majority of scholars. This is based on the hadith of Ibn 'Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him and him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used to pray in Mina without a wall, while riding on a female donkey. He passed in front of some of the rows, and no one criticized him for that. His statement "without a wall" — some scholars said that he (may Allah be pleased with him) meant "without a sutrah," because it was the norm in the time of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) that there was no construction in Mina. And based on the hadith of Abu Sa'id
If anybody amongst you is praying behind something as a Sutra and somebody tries to pass in front of him, then he should repulse him
إذا صلى أحدكم إلى شيء يستره من الناس فأراد أحد أن يجتاز بين يديه فليدفعهIf he prays facing something that covers him
إذا صلى إلى شيء يسترهAs for the questioner's statement about whether a line is sufficient, we say that it has been narrated from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) that he ordered the adoption of a sutrah and said
then let him draw a line
فإن لم يجد فليخط خطّاAccordingly, if a person does not have anything solid to place as a sutrah, let him draw a line. And if he does not have a sutrah, he has the right to the space up to where his prostration ends, and he has no right to prevent people from passing beyond that, unless he is praying on a prayer mat or something similar, in which case he has the right to prevent anyone from passing over that prayer mat. Yes.
The questioner : May Allah bless you.