Is it permissible to step over people's heads if there is a gap in the first row? And when is it not permissible to step over people's heads?
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The questioner : His EminenceThe Shaykh : There is a prohibition against stepping over people's heads on Friday while the imam is delivering the sermon. Does this prohibition apply to all prayers?
The Shaykh : Yes, The reason given for the command to sit is causing harm, and this includes Friday and days other than Friday. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) did not say: "Sit, for it is Friday." He said: Therefore, whenever harm occurs, a person is prohibited from stepping over people's heads. However, some scholars (may Allah have mercy on them) say: If a person does not find a gap that he can reach except by stepping over heads, he may step over them.
Did you understand? For example, if a person finds a gap in the first row with no one in it, he may step over to reach that gap. They (may Allah have mercy on them) explained the reason for this by saying that these are the ones who have wronged themselves, because they are commanded to do what? To fill the gaps. So if they do not fill them, they are the ones who have wronged themselves.
But in my mind, there is something about this in reality. Because the man whom the Messenger saw stepping over heads, yes, because the man whom the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) saw stepping over heads, I do not think he was stepping over except to reach a gap. I do not think he was stepping over just to see if there was a place. So it appears that the prohibition against stepping over is general, whether there is a gap or not.
The Shaykh : Yes,
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was delivering the Friday sermon when he saw a man stepping over people's heads, so he said: "Sit, for you have caused harm."
كان النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم يخطب يوم الجمعة فرأى رجلاً يتخطى الرقاب فقال: اجلس فقد آذيتSit down, for you have caused harm
اجلس فقد آذيتDid you understand? For example, if a person finds a gap in the first row with no one in it, he may step over to reach that gap. They (may Allah have mercy on them) explained the reason for this by saying that these are the ones who have wronged themselves, because they are commanded to do what? To fill the gaps. So if they do not fill them, they are the ones who have wronged themselves.
But in my mind, there is something about this in reality. Because the man whom the Messenger saw stepping over heads, yes, because the man whom the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) saw stepping over heads, I do not think he was stepping over except to reach a gap. I do not think he was stepping over just to see if there was a place. So it appears that the prohibition against stepping over is general, whether there is a gap or not.