The Importance of Sutrah in Prayer: Size, Placement, and Requirements

Understanding the Role of Sutrah in Islamic Prayer

Question: What should be the length of the Sutrah (barrier) placed in front of a person praying?

Answer: The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ instructed people to use a Sutrah while praying. Although it is not obligatory, it is strongly recommended. Therefore, whether praying alone or as an Imam, one should place a Sutrah in front of themselves.  

It is important to note that walls, chairs, tables, pillars, wooden objects, or even a seated person can serve as a Sutrah.  

There is a question about the size of a Sutrah if we want to carve a piece of wood and use it as a Sutrah. To answer this, let’s look at a narration from Sahih Muslim:  

"Aisha Radeyallahu Anha narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ was asked about the Sutrah of a person praying, and he said: 'It should be like the rear part of a saddle.'" (Sahih Muslim: 500)

From this hadith, it is understood that the size of the Sutrah should be equivalent to the rear part of a camel’s saddle. Now, one might ask, how long is that? Scholars have stated that the length is about one arm’s length. ‘Ata bin Abi Rabah was asked about the length of the saddle, and he said it should be one cubit or more. A cubit is equal to one arm’s length. So, the size of the Sutrah should be about one arm’s length.  

As for the thickness of the Sutrah, there is no specific requirement. It can be thick or thin, as the Prophet ﷺ said, “Every one of you should use a Sutrah, even if it is just an arrow.” This hadith shows that even a thin object can be used as a Sutrah.  

Another point to clarify is how far the Sutrah should be placed. The answer is that it should be slightly away from the place of prostration, so it does not interfere with the prostration.

✍ Sheikh Maqbool Ahmed Salafi (Hafizahullaah)

Jeddah Dawah Center – As-Salamah – Kingdom of Saudi Arabia