CHAPTER 1. The Sutra of the Imâm is also a Sutra for those who are behind him

1:472 Narrated by Ibn ‘Umar

Whenever Allah’s Apostle came out on ‘Eid day, he used to order that a Harba (a short spear) to be planted in front of him (as a Sutra for his prayer) and then he used to pray facing it with the people behind him and used to do the same while on a journey. After the Prophet , this practice was adopted by the Muslim rulers (who followed his traditions).

1:473 Narrated by ‘Aun bin Abi Juhaifa

I heard my father saying, “The Prophet led us, and prayed a two-Rak’at Zuhr prayer and then a two-Rak’at ‘Asr prayer at Al-Batha’ with an ‘Anza (planted) in front of him (as a Sutra) while women and donkeys were passing in front of him (beyond that ‘Anza).”

CHAPTER 2. What should be the distance between the person offering Salât (prayer) and the Sutra?

1:475 Narrated by Sahl (bin Sa’d)

The distance between the Musalla of Allah’s Apostle and the wall was just sufficient for a sheep to pass through .

CHAPTER 3. To offer As-Salât (the prayer) using an ‘Anaza (a spearheaded stick) (as a Sutra)

1:479 Narrated by Anas Ibn Malik

Whenever the Prophet went for answering the call of nature, I and another boy used to go after him with a staff, a stick or an ‘Anza and a tumbler of water and when he finished from answering the call of nature we would hand that tumbler of water to him.

CHAPTER 4. To offer As-Salât (the prayer) facing a pillar.

1:481 Narrated by Yazid bin Al ‘Ubaid

I used to accompany Salama bin Al-Akwa’ and he used to pray behind the pillar which was near the place where the Quran’s were kept I said, “O Abu Muslim! I see you always seeking to pray behind this pillar.” He replied, “I saw Allah’s Apostle always seeking to pray near that pillar.”

CHAPTER 5. To offer non congregational AsSaIât (the prayers) between the pillars

1:484 Narrated by Nafi’

‘Abdullah bin ‘Umar said, “Allah’s Apostle entered the Ka’ba along with Usama bin Zaid, Bilal and ‘Uthman bin Talha Al-Hajabi and closed the door and stayed there for some time. I asked Bilal when he came out, ‘What did the Prophet do?’ He replied, ‘He offered prayer with one pillar to his left and one to his right and three behind.’ In those days the Ka’ba was supported by six pillars.” Malik said: “There were two pillars on his (the Prophet’s) right side.”

CHAPTER 6. To offer As-Salât (the prayer) facing a Râhila (mount) a camel, a tree or a camel-saddle (etc. as a Sutra).

1:485 Narrated by Nafi

“The Prophet used to make his she-camel sit across and he would pray facing it (as a Sutra).” I asked, “What would the Prophet do if the she-camel was provoked and moved?” He said, “He would take its camel-saddle and put it in front of him and pray facing its back part (as a Sutra). And Ibn ‘Umar used to do the same.” (This indicates that one should not pray except behind a Sutra).

CHAPTER 7. To offer As-Salât (the prayer) facing a bed.

1:486 Narrated by ‘Aisha

Do you make us (women) equal to dogs and donkeys? While I used to lie in my bed, the Prophet would come and pray facing the middle of the bed. I used to consider it not good to stand in front of him in his prayers. So I used to slip away slowly and quietly from the foot of the bed till I got out of my guilt.

CHAPTER 8. The person offering Salât (prayer) should repulse that person who tries to pass in front of him.

1:488 Narrated by Abu Salih As-Samman

I saw Abu Said Al-Khudri praying on a Friday, behind something which acted as a Sutra. A young man from Bani Abi Mu’ait, wanted to pass in front of him, but Abu Said repulsed him with a push on his chest. Finding no alternative he again tried to pass but Abu Said pushed him with a greater force. The young man abused Abu Said and went to Marwan and lodged a complaint against Abu Said and Abu Said followed the young man to Marwan who asked him, “O Abu Said! What has happened between you and the son of your brother?” Abu Sa’id said to him, “I heard the Prophet saying, ‘If anybody amongst you is praying behind something as a Sutra and somebody tries to pass in front of him, then he should repulse him and if he refuses, he should use force against him for he is a satan.’ “

CHAPTER 9. The sin of a person who passes in front of a person offering the Salat (prayer).

1:489 Narrated by Busr bin Said

That Zaid bin Khalid sent him to Abi Juhaim to ask him what he had heard from Allah’s Apostle about a person passing in front of another person who was praying. Abu Juhaim replied, “Allah’s Apostle said, ‘If the person who passes in front of another person in prayer knew the magnitude of his sin he would prefer to wait for 40 (days, months or years) rather than to pass in front of him.” Abu An-Nadr said, “I do not remember exactly whether he said 40 days, months or years.”

CHAPTER 10. To offer As-Salat (the prayer) behind a sleeping person.

1:491 Narrated by ‘Aisha

The Prophet used to pray while I was sleeping across in his bed in front of him. Whenever he wanted to pray Witr, he would wake me up and I would pray Witr.

CHAPTER 11. If a small girl is carried on one’s neck during As-SaIât (the prayer).

1:495 Narrated by Abu Qatada Al-Ansari

Allah’s Apostle was praying and he was carrying Umama the daughters of Zainab, the daughter of Allah’s Apostle and she was the daughter of ‘As bin Rabi’a bin ‘AbduShams. When he prostrated, he put her down and when he stood, he carried her (on his neck).

CHAPTER 12. A woman can remove troublesome or offensive things from a person in the Salât (prayer).

1:499 Narrated by ‘Amr bin Maimuin

‘Abdullah bin Mas’ud said, “While Allah’s Apostle was praying beside the Ka’ba, there were some Quraish people sitting in a gathering. One of them said, ‘Don’t you see this (who does deeds just to show off)? Who amongst you can go and bring the dung, blood and the abdominal contents (intestines, etc). of the slaughtered camels of the family of so and so and then wait till he prostrates and put that in between his shoulders?’ The most unfortunate amongst them (‘Uqba bin Abi Mu’ait) went (and brought them) and when Allah’s Apostle prostrated, he put them between his shoulders. The Prophet remained in prostration and they laughed so much so that they fell on each other. A passerby went to Fatima, who was a young girl in those days. She came running and the Prophet was still in prostration. She removed them and cursed upon the Quraish on their faces. When Allah’s Apostle completed his prayer, he said, ‘O Allah! Take revenge on Quraish.’ He said so thrice and added, ‘O Allah! take revenge on ‘Amr bin Hisham, ‘Utba bin Rabia, Shaiba bin Rabi’a, Al-Walid bin’Utba, Umaiya bin Khalaf, ‘Uqba bin Abi Mu’ait and ‘Umar a bin Al-Walid.” Abdullah added, “By Allah! I saw all of them dead in the battle field on the day of Badr and they were dragged and thrown in the Qalib (a well) at Badr: Allah’s Apostle then said, ‘Allah’s curse has descended upon the people of the Qalib (well).