Fatawa

The Ruling on Making Wooden Planks as Sutrahs to be Used in the Masaajid – Shaikh Muhammad ibn Hizaam

Question: What is the ruling on making planks from wood as a sutrah for the praying person in the Masaajid?

Answer: “This affair does not have any evidence for it. It is not befitting to have unnecessary burden in it by making specific pieces of wood for those who are praying. This affair is not from the Sunnah and the Salaf did not do it. The Salaf did not make specific pieces of wood [as sutrahs]. This unnecessary burden is not required. If it was good, then the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) and the Pious Predecessors would have preceded us to it. They were the most eager in this affair (of the religion). So it is necessary to avoid this affair and not have Takkaluf (unnecessary burden) in this affair. The wall is present [in the masjid] and the pillars. It was even established in Musannaf Ibn Abu Shaybah (may Allah have mercy upon him) from Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) that if he did not find a sutrah, he would tell his brother to turn his back to him and he would pray towards him. It’s chain of narration is Saheeh to Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with him). With that, he did not have unnecessary burden, that is, he prayed towards his brother Muslim. This occurred and they did not have any unnecessary burden to bring wood or stones into the masajid. So this affair is left off. It is not Sunnah”.

[Source]

Translator’s Note: 

The Permanent Committee has passed a similar fatwa. See here: [https://alifta.com/Search/ResultDetails.aspx?languagename=en&lang=en&view=result&fatwaNum=&FatwaNumID=&ID=2235&searchScope=7&SearchScopeLevels1=&SearchScopeLevels2=&highLight=1&SearchType=exact&SearchMoesar=false&bookID=&LeftVal=0&RightVal=0&simple=&SearchCriteria=allwords&PagePath=&siteSection=1&searchkeyword=115117116114097104#firstKeyWordFound]

Translated by

Faisal Ibn Abdul Qaadir Ibn Hassan
Abu Sulaymaan

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