meaning of their statement: "The sutra of the Imam is a sutra for those behind him," is that as long as nothing that interrupts the prayer passes between the Imam and his sutra, the prayer of the followers is valid, and it is not harmed by anything passing in front of them in part of the row, nor in the space between them and the Imam. However, if something that interrupts the prayer passes between the Imam and his sutra, it interrupts his prayer and theirs. This is evidenced by what was narrated by 'Amr ibn Shu'ayb, from his father, from his grandfather, who said: "We descended with the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) from the mountain pass of Adhakhir, and the time for prayer arrived. He prayed toward a wall, using it as a qibla, while we were behind him. A young animal came and passed in front of him, and he continued pushing it away until his belly pressed against the wall, so it passed behind him." Recorded by Abu Dawud. If his sutra were not a sutra for them, there would be no difference between it passing in front of him and behind him.

Section: The length of the sutra should be a cubit (dhir') or thereabouts. Al-Athram said: Abu 'Abd Allah was asked about the rear of the saddle, what is its measure? He said: A cubit. Likewise, 'Ata' said: A cubit. This is the position of al-Thawri and the People of Opinion (Ashab al-Ra'y). It is narrated from Ahmad that it is the size of the bone of the forearm. This is the position of Malik and al-Shafi'i. The apparent meaning is that this is by way of approximation, not strict limitation, because the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) estimated it by the rear of the saddle, and the rear of the saddle varies in length and shortness; sometimes it is a cubit, and sometimes it is less than that. Thus, what approximates a cubit is sufficient for shielding oneself, and Allah knows best. As for its thickness and thinness, we know of no limit for it; it is permissible for it to be thin like an arrow or a spear, or thick like a wall, for the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) used to use an 'anaza (short spear) as a sutra. Abu Sa'id said: We used to use an arrow or a stone as a sutra in prayer. It was narrated from Sabra that the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) said: "Use a sutra in prayer, even if it is an arrow." Recorded by al-Athram. Al-Awza'i said: An arrow or a whip is sufficient. Ahmad said: Whatever is wider is more pleasing to me; this is because his saying "even if it is an arrow" indicates that something other than it is better.

Section: It is recommended for the one praying to draw near to his sutra, because of what was narrated by Sahl ibn Abi Hathma, reaching the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace), that he said: "If one of you prays toward a sutra, let him draw near to it, so that the devil may not interrupt his prayer." Recorded by Abu Dawud. From Abu Sa'id, he said: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) said: "If one of you prays, let him pray toward a sutra, and let him draw near to it." Recorded by al-Athram. And from Sahl ibn Sa'd, he said: There was between the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) and...