Most-asked question
Is it sinful to pass in front of someone praying?
36 fatawa in the archive answer questions on this, from 4 South African Darul Iftas (Mufti Online, Ask Imaam, Ibn Masood, Azaadville). Below, each Darul Ifta’s answer is quoted word for word from the opening of one of its fatawa.
Based on the fatawa linked below. Please read the sources and double-check with a Darul Ifta for your situation.
Consult a mufti for your situation. Fatawa SA is a read-only archive and issues no rulings of its own.
What the Darul Iftas say
“If one is sitting or performing salaah in front of a musallee, then it will be permissible for him to move to the right or move to the left. This will not be regarded as passing in front of the musallee.”
“It is permissible to pass in front of the children’s row during congregational salah only if one does so to fill in a space in the front.”
“In principle, Fuqaha (Jurists) explain that the Sutrah should be at least an arm’s length, but no more than three arm’s in length. Furthermore, it should be as thick as a finger and it should be inserted i.e. it should be vertical not horizontal. If the Sutrah cannot be inserted, it can be placed on the surface.”
“The length of the Sutrah should be a minimum of 18 inches/45.72 cm or more.”
Quotes are the opening words of each answer as published; the full answer, its conditions and references are on the fatwa page. Answers depend on the exact details of each question.
Read the fatawa
- Using A Stanchion As A SutrahIbn Masood · 1 Oct 2025
- Walking in front of a masbooqMufti Online · 8 May 2023
- What is the ruling on passing in front of a Musalli whilst in Salaah?Ask Imaam · 29 Nov 2019
- Length Of A SutrahAzaadville · 21 Oct 2021
- Passing in front of a MusalliIbn Masood · 11 Jun 2024
- Passing in front of someone performing salaahMufti Online · 22 Aug 2022
- Can a woman wear shoes which give off a sound when walking in front of a Ghair Mahram?Ask Imaam · 1 Nov 2019
- Wall In Front Of The Imaam Sufficing As A Sutrah For The MuqtadisAzaadville · 27 Sep 2021
- Hadith on walking in front of a MusalliIbn Masood · 29 Nov 2023
- Placing a sutrah in a room that is not a musjidMufti Online · 2 Jul 2022
- Is it permissible for one to pass in front of the children's saffs (row)?Ask Imaam · 6 May 2015
- Walking in front of a MusalleeMufti Online · 9 Apr 2013
- What is the satr for a woman in Salah and what are the required measurements of a sutrah?Ask Imaam · 10 Jan 2015
- Walking in front of a person who is performing SalaahMufti Online · 1 Jan 2013
- Sutrah for SalaahAsk Imaam · 21 Jul 2014
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