How should a Sutrah barrier be used in Salah ?

Darulifta Ahlesunnat

(Dawateislami)

Question

   What do the scholars of Islam say regarding the following matter: how should a piece of wood that measures one yard and is thicker than a finger be placed in front of people offering Salah so that it becomes permissible to walk in front of them? Should it be placed upright in front of those offering Salah, or should it be placed flat when it is possible to place it upright?

بِسْمِ اللہِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِیْمِ

اَلْجَوَابُ بِعَوْنِ الْمَلِکِ الْوَھَّابِ اَللّٰھُمَّ ھِدَایَۃَ الْحَقِّ وَالصَّوَابِ

   According to Shari’ah, a piece of wood that is equal to the length one arm [from the fingers to the elbow]and has the thickness of one finger can be used as a Sutrah (barrier).To form a barrier which will allow people to walk in front of someone praying Salah, it will need to be placed upright or fixed into the ground; placing it flat will not render it a barrier that makes it permissible for people to walk in front of those praying Salah.

وَاللہُ اَعْلَمُ عَزَّوَجَلَّ وَرَسُوْلُہ اَعْلَم صَلَّی اللّٰہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّم

Written by: Mufti Muhammad Hashim Khan Attari