As for the person praying behind an imam, it is not sunnah for him to place a sutrah before himself, because the Companions used to pray with the Prophet ﷺ, and none of them placed a sutrah.

But is it permissible to pass in front of them?

The scholars differ on this, holding two views: (1)

The first view is that it is not permissible to pass in front of them.

They cited as evidence the general import of the texts: “If the one who passes in front of a person praying knew what burden of sin was upon him, it would be better for him to stand for forty than to pass in front of him.” (2) They said: This is general in meaning.

They further reasoned that the distraction caused to the imam and to one praying alone when someone passes in front of them is likewise caused by passing in front of a person praying behind an imam. There may even be many people passing by, such that the person praying behind the imam feels cut off from his imam, as people continue to pass until they are like a wall before him—especially in large mosques, such as the Sacred Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque. Accordingly, no one may pass in front of those praying behind an imam.

The second view is that there is no harm in passing in front of those praying behind an imam. (3)

They cited as evidence the action of Ibn Abbas, who came while the Prophet ﷺ was leading the people in prayer at Mina, riding a female donkey—that is, a she-donkey. He entered the row and let the donkey graze,