“Do not follow my opinion, nor the opinion of Maalik, nor Shaafi’, nor Awzaa’ee, nor Thawree, but take from where they took” (Imaam Ahmad, I’laam 2/302) 


Inshaa Allah in this section we will be dealing with verdicts issued by various scholars. However the key theme will be to ‘Take from where the scholars took’ in order to eliminate Taqleed (blind following) and facilitate our understanding of the evidences. Indeed this was the methodology of the pious predecessors during the early years of Islam. Imam Ahmad (May Allah have mercy upon him) eloquently summarized this great principle when he said, “Do not follow my opinion, nor the opinion of Maalik, nor Shaafi’, nor Awzaa’ee, nor Thawree, but take from where they took” (imaam Ahmad, I'laam 2/302)



 

Take Something As A Sutrah

An object placed In front of the place of prostration


Fatwa by: Ahmad bin Muhammad bin Hanbal (died 241 AH)


Question:

In Congregational Prayer The Imaam acts as the Sutrah for those behind him. However do we need a Sutrah when praying individually by ourselves?

Answer:

Ibn Haani said, “One day Abu Abdullah (Imaam Ahmad) saw me while I was praying without a Sutrah in front of me, and I was in a congregational mosque. He said, ‘Take something as a Sutrah’, so I took a man as a Sutrah.” (Masaail from Ahmad by Ibn Haani)

Evidences for the obligation of using a Sutrah in Prayer

Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) said, ‘When one of you prays, he should place something in front of his face (in front of the place of prostration)’ (musnaad of ahmad)

Sahl bin Sa’d (may Allah be pleased with him) said, ‘The distance between the Musalla of Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) and the Wall was just sufficient for a sheep to pass through.’ (saheeh of bukhaari)

Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated, ‘The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used to plant a spear in front of him and offer Salaat behind it.’ (saheeh of bukhaari)

Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) said, ‘The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used to make his she camel sit across and he would offer Salaat facing it.’ Naafi (may Allah be pleased with him) asked, ‘What would the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) do if the she camel was provoked and moved?’ Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) said, ‘He would take the camel saddle and place it in front of him and offer Salaat facing its back part.’ (saheeh of bukhaari) 

Yazid bin Abi Ubaid (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated, I used to accompany Salama bin Al Akwa and he used to offer Salaat behind the pillar which was near the place where the Qurans were kept. I said, ‘O Abu Muslim! I see you always seeking to offer Salaat behind this pillar.’ He relied, “I saw Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) always seeking to offer Salaat near that pillar.’  (saheeh of bukhari)

Abu Sa’eed Al Khudri(may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that Allah’s Messenger(peace and blessings be upon him) said, ‘If one of you prays towards an object separating him from the people and someone tries to pass in front of him, let him turn him away but if he refuses he should fight him for he is a devil.’ (saheeh of bukhaari; saheeh of muslim)

Narrated Abu Juhaim bin Al Harith(may Allah be pleased with him); Allah’s Messenger(peace and blessings be upon him) said, “If the person who passes in front of another person in prayer knew the magnitude of his sin it would have been better for him to wait for forty than pass in front of him (Al Bukhari)

Compiled by Kamillah Khan