Crossing a Person Who is Saying His Prayers... Is it right to cross any person when he or she is praying? Syed Akhlaq Hussain, Pakistan Reply Prayer, if seen in the correct perspective, is a time of conversation and dialogue between a person and his Master. It is an act of worship, adoration and supplication. It, therefore, seems fitting that a person, while he is in the state of offering his prayers, under normal circumstances, should not be disturbed. Crossing from in front of a person, while offering his prayers, would generally cause to disturb his concentration. It is primarily due to this reason, that the Prophet (pbuh) directed against such indecent behavior. In this respect, on the one hand, the Prophet (pbuh) directed the person offering prayers (at a place other than the mosque) to place something that is easily visible to others (called a 'Sutra', in the Arabic language), which would mark the limit of space required by him for comfortably completing all the parts of his prayers (as bowing -- ruku -- and prostration -- sajdah). While, on the other hand, the Prophet (pbuh) directed those moving around the person to strictly avoid crossing the boundary so marked by the person offering prayers. In the days of the Prophet (pbuh), items used as Sutra, would vary from spears, arrows or whatever was easily accessible to the person. While praying in a mosque or otherwise on a prayer rug, the limits of the space required by the person praying are defined by the prayer rug itself. However, if a prayer rug is not available, it would be advisable, in the light of the directives of the Prophet (pbuh) to place something, which is easily visible to others, for the purpose of marking the space required for comfortably completing the various parts of the prayers. Others would be advised to avoid crossing from in front of the person, from within the space so marked by the Sutra, or, if a prayer rug is being used, from within the boundaries of the prayer rug. There is, however, no harm in crossing from in front of the person, beyond these limits. I hope this helps. Regards, Moiz Amjad , Otherwise you may simply Close this Window