Crossing in Front of Musallee

 

1. "If the person who crosses in front of a musallee (one performing salaah) knew the sin befalling him, then waiting for 40 ...would be better for him than crossing in front of a musallee."

(Bukhari and Muslim)

 

2. Abu Nadar (Radiyallahu Anhu), one of the narrators of this Hadith says:

 

"I don't know if Nabi (SAW) said 40 days, months or years.”

 
Commentary: 

The question we should ask ourselves, is it worthwhile saving a few meagre minutes by crossing in front of one performing salaah, thereby earning the colossal burden of the emphatic warning sounded in the Hadith of Nabi (SAW)?

 

A person usually falls prey to this crime due to two factors negligence and haste. Both these qualities are unbecoming of a Muslim and should be shunned. A Muslim should always be conscious and concerned about hisaab (accountability) and his meeting with Allah Ta'ala.

 

Therefore great caution should be exercised in this regard, considering the warnings found in the Hadith.