Fatwa No : 6391
walking in front of a person who is performing Namaz

walking in front of a person who is performing Namaz

Assalamu Alaikum What do the respected Mufthis say about this? A person while walking in front of a Namazi ( person who is performing Namaz) uses his Roomal ( the big handkerchief which is normally placed over the shoulders of the learned Ulemas) as a Suthra (barrier) and walks. What...? Is this action correct? Please guide us in the light of Qur'an and Hadees,
Jazakallah

الجوابُ حامِدا ًو مُصلیِّا ً

Whether the Mosque is big or small first of all one should not pass from, in front of a person who is engaged in Salath, instead, he should go from the rear side. If the Mosque is big (which is between 40 -60 cubits) or Salath is performed in a bare land it is allowed and permissible as well to pass in front of him leaving a space of two rows from the place of Sajda even without a Suthra (barrier)and the manner mentioned above is not necessary. If there is no room to go from the rear side and also difficult to go from the front due to Mosque being small or non availability of Suthra, what is desirable is to await until the Salath is concluded. In a compelled situation where there is a doubt of getting a loss in awaiting, since there is an allowance recorded by some elders to hold a kerchief as a barrier and pass behind it as mentioned, it is hoped that one may not be taken to task for using a barrier as such. However one should refrain from doing so in normal conditions, else, he will be a sinner for passing in front of one who is engaged in Salath.