Placing a sutrah in a room that is not a musjid

Q: Can Mufti Saheb please explain if a sutrah is needed in a large room that is not a musjid, e.g. The tents in Arafah, a hall, etc.

Also, when reading salaah alone at home, should one put a sutrah in front?

A: If the area is an enclosed area and is less than the size of a musjid kabeer (i.e. 334,451 square metres or more), then one should put a sutrah in front of him before he performs salaah. If one does not put a sutrah and people pass in front, then one will become sinful on account of obstructing the pathway of the people.

Yes, if people are going to be passing in front of him, then one should put a sutrah before him when performing salaah.

And Allah Ta'ala (الله تعالى) knows best.

Answered by:

Mufti Zakaria Makada

Checked & Approved:

Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)