What is the validity of the prayer of one who prayed without a sutrah?

Question:
And another asks: What is the validity of the prayer of one who prayed without a sutrah, whether intentionally or unintentionally?

Answer:
Praying facing a sutrah is a recommended practice (sunnah); based on the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): But this is not obligatory. It is established that he (peace and blessings be upon him) prayed without a sutrah. So praying facing a sutrah is recommended and strongly recommended, but if one prays without a sutrah, and no one passes in front of him that would invalidate his prayer, then his prayer is valid. However, it is better to pray facing a sutrah and to stand close to it, unless one is a ma'mum (one praying behind the imam), for the ma'mum follows his imam and does not need a sutrah.

Question: Is a sutrah obligatory in the Haram?

Answer: It is not obligatory in the Sacred Mosque. In the Sacred Mosque, it is excused due to the likelihood of crowding and difficulty. So the correct view is: it is not obligatory in the Sacred Mosque; if one prays there, it is not required.
And likewise the Prophet's Mosque, and mosques where there is severe crowding; it is excused if one prays in any place, because he is unable to do so due to the severe crowding and difficulty, and this is not specific to the Sacred Mosque.