Crossing in Front of Praying Person

The Messenger of Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “If anyone of you prays towards something that screens him from the people, and someone wants to pass directly in front of him, let him push him back. If he insists then fight him, for he is nothing but a devil.” [Bukhaari]

The Shaytaan encourages one to walk in front of a person who is praying. In Fath al-Baari, Ibn Hajar explains “he is nothing but a devil” as meaning that the one who is making him do it (cross directly in front) is a devil.

If a person intends to pray he should first try to find a spot where he won’t be in others’ way. If he must pray in a place where there is a likelihood of someone needing to cross in front of him he should put something, such as a chair, before him so that people may cross in front if they need to.

We should try our utmost not to walk in front of a person who is praying. We should walk around them or wait until they are done.