PASSING IN FRONT OF A PERSON WHO IS PERFORMING SALAH

Question:- Is it permissible to pass in front of a person who is performing Salah?

Answer:- A person is in full Munaajaat (conversation) with his Rabb during Salah. It is not good to pass between two persons who are in full conversation. It is a lack of mannerism and respect. Similarly, it is not good to pass in front of a Muswalli who is in full Munaajaat with his Rabb. This is undesirable / abominable. To show its gravity and the extent of its foulness, Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasallam) said:

“If the person who passes in front of a Muswalli would know the burden that he is taking on himself, he would have preferred to wait for 40 ... than passing in front of him.” (Bukhari)

Here, the Hadith did not specify the meaning of 40. Other Hadith say that it is 40 years. The Hadith of Ibn Madjah, which is narrated by Hazrat Abu Huraira (Radiyallahu Anhu), the number of 100 years is mentioned. According to Tirmizi, Hazrat Anas (Radiyallahu Anhu) also narrated the number of 100 years. So, in the light of these Hadith, the person passing in front of a Muswalli would have preferred to keep waiting for a century if he would know the gravity of passing in front of a Muswalli. Here, we see that no punishment is mentioned. However, its gravity is clear in terms of standing still and doing nothing for a century. This is considered better than committing the sin of passing in front of a Muswalli.

[English version of "Traverse divant ene dimoune ki pé faire namaz" – Al Jamiat – Vol.1 No.10]