front of him/ her as stated in Ibn ‘Abb?s’s narration. This ruling is a unanimously agreed-upon one between the ‘Ulamah’. (1)

According to what has been mentioned, it is understood that the congregational Sal?t is actually considered as one Sal?t not numerous ones equal to the number of those who are doing it, so one Sutrah is sufficient. (2)

[5/ 15] If the Im?m ignores taking a Sutrah, he has indeed done a great mistake; however, this does not entail that each Ma’m?m should find a Sutrah for him / her self and to prevent anyone from passing in front of him/her. (3)

[6/ 15] A question may be raised: what should the Masb?q do when he / she performs the Rak‘?t he/ she missed with the Im?m??

Im?m M?lik said: ‘the Masb?q could come closer to any Sutrah he/ she could reach - moving left, right, forward or backward. In case the Sutarh is very far from him/ her, he/ she could stay in his/ her place and does his/ her best not to let any one pass in front of him/ her’. (4)

Ibn Rushd held the same opinion is his “Fat?w?” and added: “whoever passes in front of hem/ her has incurred a sin on him/ her self, unlike the one who passes between the rows in the congregational Sal?t for the Im?m is the Sutrah of the praying muslims. May All?h ( - عز وجل -) guide us to all that which is the best’. (5)

Many other ‘Ulamah held the same opinion. (6)

[16] Deviating from the Qiblah: