Here is a benefit about something prevalent in our Masajid nowadays. It is in regards to those little wooden pieces people use as a sutrah in the masaajid. They are usually painted with a color like green or other than that. The Sahaba radiallahu anhu never had such things in their masaajid and we should not have them in our Masaajid likewise.

The Permanent Committee was asked:

The first question of Fatwa no. 2613

Question 1:

I saw some religious leaders placing a half meter long board as a Sutrah (barrier placed in front of a person praying). They say that whoever does not place a Sutrah in front of them, is wrong. When I asked what if I do not find a Sutrah, they confirmed that it is obligatory.

Answer:

“… It has not been proven that they would place boards in front of them as a Sutrah while praying in the Masjid. However, they used to pray in front of walls or pillars. There should not be excessiveness regarding this matter as the Shari`ah is flexible, and whoever makes the religion a rigor, it will overpower him…”

[For the full fatwa, see here]

In fact, some of the Sahaba and salaf disliked it:

عَنِ ابْنِ جُرَيْجٍ , قَالَ : أَخْبَرَنِي نَافِعٌ مَوْلَى ابْنِ عُمَرَ ” أَنَّ ابْنَ عُمَرَ كَانَ يَكْرَهُ الْحِجَارَةَ فِي الْمَسْجِدِ

Nafi’ the Mawla of Ibn Umar radiallahu anhumma said that: Ibn Umar used to dislike the rocks in the masjid.

[Reported by Abdurrazzaq in his Musannaf no. 2277 and the chain is Saheeh]

Another narration in the Musannaf of Abdurrazzaq after the one above explains why he disliked it. This is because the rocks in the masjid resembled altars which are used to slaughter meat for other than Allah.

Ibn Umar disliked it, meaning it was not the way of the Sahaba and the Prophet sallahu alayhi wa salam. These rocks and now wood came afterwards and are not needed. Had they been good, Ibn Umar radiallahu anahumma would have approved them.

Allah knows best

Translated by

Faisal ibn Abdul Qaadir ibn Hassan
Abu Sulaymaan