The Proponderant position in regards to the ruling Of taking a Sutra‏

The Proponderant position in regards to the ruling

Of taking a Sutra [1] for prayer

By Sheikh AlMuhaddith Yahyaa Ibn Alee Al Hajooree

Hafidhahullaah

The Question: What is the strongest opinion in reference to taking a Sutra, and what is the authenticity of the Hadeeth:  ((None of you should pray except to aSutra))[2]?

The Answer: The Hadeeth is feasible to be used as proof, and also the Prophet used to carry with him a Anazah (an ironed tipped stick) to pray towards[3], and he would not leave it whether he was travelling or not, and Omar Ibnul Khadaab saw a man praying without a Sutrah so he took hold of him pushed him towards a sutrah, and also from the Hadeeth of Anas in the Saheeh when the Mu’adhin would finish making the Aadhaan for Maghrib they would hasten towards the pillars (to take them as sutrahs)[4].

And in the Hadeeth of Salamah Ibnul Akwa’ that he would search for a pillar to pray towards[5], these proofs don’t only point to mere recommendation of taking a Sutra, but indeed they point to the compulsoriness of taking a Sutrahlike Imaam Ash-Shawkaanee clarified in his book Naylul Awdaar, and likewise there are many Ahaadeeth and Aathaar (to this effect). As for dismissing (all that has been previously mentioned) for the Hadeeth: ((The Prophet prayed towards other than a wall))[6], but walls are not the only thing one can use as a Sutrahbut there are many things one can use, the Prophet prayed towards Aa’ishah and she was adjacent to him (infront of the Prophet), and he prayed towards a saddle, he also prayed towards his his iron tipped stick, for indeed Imaam Bukhaaree brought the chapter:

-‘The Chapter of The Sutrah in Makkah and other than it’ and then he mentioned the above narrations.

Al Iftaa page 143

Translation: Abu Shu’ayb

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[1] An object like a pillar, wall or stick, a spear etc., the height of which should not be less than a foot and must be in front of a person offering Salaah to act as a 

symbolical barrier between him and others.

[2] From the Hadeeth of Ibn Omar narrated ibn Khuzaymah (1/94) Al Albaanee said: Its chain of narration is good, Sifatu Salaah page 82.

[3] From the Hadeeth of Juhayfah in Bukhaaree and Muslim, and on the authority of Ibn Omar agreed upon.

[4] From the Hadeeth of Anas, Bukhaaree and Ahmed

[5] Bukhaaree and Muslim

[6] From the Hadeeth of Anas in Bukhaaree and Muslim