Answered by Shaykh Yūsuf Badāt

Question:

What should you do if someone passes directly in front of you whilst you are praying?

Answer:

In the Name of God, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate

Jazāk Allāh Khayr/ Thank you for your question.

When someone passes in front of you during ṣalāh (ritual prayer), it is recommended to gently indicate to the passer-by not to cross in front of you. The author of Al-Badāʾi, writes,

“It is appropriate for the one performing prayer to avert the passer-by, meaning prevent them from passing. This is so that one is not distracted in his [or her] prayer.” (Al-Badāʾi Al-Ṣanāʾi)

“The prayer is not broken by the passing of anything; however ward off, if you are able to.” (Sunan Abū Dāwūd)

The method of averting the passer-by can be rendered as follows, according to Iʾelā Al-Sunan:

• Verbally saying “Subḥān Allāh” or “Allāhu Akbar”
• By action through; a gesture or slightly pulling the garment of the one passing by, without walking

One is to be careful and cautious to not engage in al-amal al-kathīr (excessive movement) while warding off the passer-by as this will lead to invalidating one’s prayer. The narrations that suggest intense physical action (qitāl) against the passer-by, were applicable when speech and excessive movement were permissible in prayer. (I’elā Al-Sunan, Maʾāni Al-Āthār)

And Allāh Knows Best