As-salam-u-'Alaykum, mufti sahab,

1)If person A is sitting, and person B arrives to cross in front of A plus more gaps (across a saff), however B asks A to slide towards the gap next to where A is sitting so that he acts as a sutra for the person C who is praying in the saff behind.

Is it a sin for A to slide to the next gap?

2)If a person, unknowingly comes in front of a person praying, can the person carry on walking, go back, or should he sit at the spot?

3)How much (centre, more than half etc.)of a person must be behind a sutra, for people to walk across without sinning.

jazakAllahu khairan.

ASSALAMU ALAIKUM

26 Sha'baan 1435 (25 June 2014)

*(My name here)*

Your e-mail dated 24 June 2014 refers.

(1) 'A' should not slide in front of the musalli. 'B' may cross ahead of the musalli in a Musjid, if there is no other way of crossing.

(2) The person should carry on walking if the place is a Musjid. If not a Musjid, then before crossing, he should retrace his steps.

(3) The Sutrah should be just in front of the musalli - immediately in front of him. It is permissible to pass in front of the Sutrah at any distance.

Was-salaam

A.S. Desai

For

Mujlisul Ulama of S.A.