Importance of Taking a Sutrah in Prayer

Question:

I have a little child who is one and half years old, and he sometimes disturbs me while offering prayer. What is the ruling of such prayer?

Answer:

Taking a sutrah (barrier or object that is placed in front of one who prays) is a confirmed Sunnah according  to the view of many scholars. It was narrated that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “When anyone of you performs prayer, let him pray facing towards a sutrah, and let him get close to it, and not let anyone pass in front of him. If someone comes and wants to pass in front of him, let him fight him, for he is a Shaitan (Satan).” (Ibn Majah) 

In another hadith, the Messenger of Allah said, “When any one of you prays facing something which conceals him from people and anyone tries to pass in front of him, he should be turned away, but if he refuses, he should be forcibly restrained from it, for he is a devil.” (Muslim) The purpose of sutrah is to help one get the maximum concentration and khushu`.

In this short video, Dr. Muhammad Salah clarifies the importance of taking a sutrah during prayer. 

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Source: Huda Youtube Channel.