Q 2: Some Imams hold the view that a rock or a piece of iron should be put in front of anyone praying inside the Masjid (mosque). What is the ruling on this?

A: The verbal Sunnah reported from the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) commands us to place a Sutrah (barrier placed in front of a person praying) in front of a person who performs Salah (Prayer). The Prophet (peace be upon him) used to place a Sutrah in front of him during Salah. It is reported on the authority of (Part No. 7; Page No. 78)  Abu Sa`id Al-Khudry that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: When one of you offers Salah, he should place a sutrah before him and should stay close to it. Related by Abu Dawud and Ibn Majah. Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: When one of you offers Salah, he should put something before him, and if he can not find anything, he should put his staff; but if he has no staff, he should draw a line; then what passes before him will not harm him. Related by Ahmad, Abu Dawud and Ibn Majah. It is also narrated on the authority of Sahl ibn Sa`d that he said: The distance between the Musalla (a place for prayer) of Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) and the wall was just sufficient for a sheep to pass through. Related by Bukhari and Muslim. It is mentioned in the Hadith narrated by Bilal that the Prophet (peace be upon him) entered Al-Ka`bah and offered the Salah; the distance between him and the wall was about three arms length. Related by Ahmad and Al-Nasa'y. As for placing a rock or metal before everyone praying in the Masjid, it has no origin. They should not do so because if it had been done during the Prophet's lifetime or his Companions, it would be transmitted to us through them. Since it was not transmitted to us, this indicates its impermissibility. Furthermore, the Sutrah (barrier placed in front of a person praying) of the Imam is considered a Sutrah of the followers.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.