Places Where Prayer is Permissible and Where it is Not Permissible
Man Lā Yaḥḍuruh al-Faqīh|Volume 1|Book 1|Chapter 39
Man Lā Yaḥḍuruh al-Faqīh
Book 1, Chapter 39
Places Where Prayer is Permissible and Where it is Not Permissible
25 hadiths · 5 commentaries
قَالَ اَلنَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اَللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَ آلِهِ: «أُعْطِيتُ خَمْساً لَمْ يُعْطَهَا أَحَدٌ قَبْلِي جُعِلَتْ لِيَ اَلْأَرْضُ مَسْجِداً وَ طَهُوراً وَ نُصِرْتُ بِالرُّعْبِ وَ أُحِلَّ لِيَ اَلْمَغْنَمُ وَ أُعْطِيتُ جَوَامِعَ اَلْكَلِمِ وَ أُعْطِيتُ اَلشَّفَاعَةَ.
The Prophet, said: "I was given five things that no one was given before me: The entire earth was made a place of prayer and a means of purification for me, I was aided with fear (cast into the hearts of my enemies), war booty was made lawful for me, I was given concise speech (Jawaami' al-Kalim), and I was granted intercession."
- Ṣaḥīḥ al-Faqīh
وَقَالَ اَلصَّادِقُ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ: «عَشَرَةُ مَوَاضِعَ لاَ يُصَلَّى فِيهَا اَلطِّينُ وَ اَلْمَاءُ وَ اَلْحَمَّامُ وَ اَلْقُبُورُ وَ مَسَانُّ اَلطَّرِيقِ وَ قُرَى اَلنَّمْلِ وَ مَعَاطِنُ اَلْإِبِلِ وَ مَجْرَى اَلْمَاءِ، وَ اَلسَّبَخَةُ وَ اَلثَّلْجُ.
Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq عليه السلام said: "There are ten places where prayer should not be performed: mud, water, baths, graves, paths frequently used by travelers, ant hills, camel resting places, watercourses, salty land (sabkha), and snow”.
- Ṣaḥīḥ al-Faqīh
وَ رُوِيَ: «أَنَّهُ لاَ يُصَلَّى فِي اَلْبَيْدَاءِ وَ لاَ ذَاتِ اَلصَّلاَصِلِ وَ لاَ فِي وَادِي اَلشُّقْرَةِ وَ لاَ فِي وَادِي ضَجْنَانَ».
It is narrated that prayer should not be performed in al-Bayda', Dhat al-Salasil, the valley of al-Shaqra, or the valley of Dajnan.
- Ṣaḥīḥ al-Faqīh
فإذا حصل الرجل في الطين أو الماء وقد دخل وقت الصلاة ولم يمكنه الخروج منه صلى إيماء ويكون سجوده أخفض من ركوعه ولا بأس بالصلاة في مسلخ الحمام وإنما يكره في الحمام لأنه مأوى الشياطين.
If a person finds themselves in mud or water and the time for prayer has entered, and they are unable to leave, they should pray by making gestures, ensuring that their prostration is lower than their bowing. There is no harm in praying in a bathhouse changing area, but it is disliked to pray in the main bath area because it is a dwelling place for devils.
وَ سَأَلَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ جَعْفَرٍ أَخَاهُ مُوسَى بْنَ جَعْفَرٍ عَلَيْهِمَا اَلسَّلاَمُ: عَنِ اَلصَّلاَةِ فِي بَيْتِ اَلْحَمَّامِ فَقَالَ «إِذَا كَانَ اَلْمَوْضِعُ نَظِيفاً فَلاَ بَأْسَ بِالصَّلاَةِ» يَعْنِي اَلْمَسْلَخَ.
Ali ibn Ja'far asked his brother Imam Musa ibn Jafar Al-Kadhim عليه السلام about praying in the bathhouse. Imam عليه السلام said: "If the place is clean, then there is no harm in praying, referring specifically to the changing area (maslakh).”
- Ṣaḥīḥ al-Faqīh
وأما القبور فلا يجوز أن تتخذ قبلة ولا مسجدا، ولا بأس بالصلاة بين خللها ما لم يتخذ شئ منها قبلة والمستحب أن يكون بين المصلى وبين القبور عشرة أذرع من كل جانب. وأما مسان الطريق فلا يجوز الصلاة فيها، ولا على الجواد فأما على الظواهر التي بين الجواد فلا بأس.
As for graves, it is not permissible to use them as a direction of prayer or to turn them into mosques. However, there is no harm in praying between graves, as long as none of them are taken as a direction of prayer. It is recommended that there be a distance of ten cubits between the person praying and the graves on all sides. Regarding paths, it is not permissible to pray in the main pathways or on roads, but there is no harm in praying on areas adjacent to the roads.
وَقَالَ اَلرِّضَا عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ: «كُلُّ طَرِيقٍ يُوطَأُ وَ يُتَطَرَّقُ كَانَتْ فِيهِ جَادَّةٌ أَوْ لَمْ تَكُنْ لاَ يَنْبَغِي اَلصَّلاَةُ فِيهِ» قِيلَ فَأَيْنَ يُصَلَّى قَالَ «يَمْنَةً وَ يَسْرَةً.
Imam Ali ibn Musa Ar-Ridha عليه السلام said: "Any path that is trodden and commonly used, whether it has a main road or not, should not be used for prayer." He was asked: "Then where should one pray?" Imam عليه السلام said: "To the right or to the left (of the path)."
- Ṣaḥīḥ al-Faqīh
وَ سَأَلَ اَلْحَلَبِيُّ أَبَا عَبْدِ اَللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ: عَنِ اَلصَّلاَةِ فِي مَرَابِضِ اَلْغَنَمِ فَقَالَ «صَلِّ وَ لاَ تُصَلِّ فِي أَعْطَانِ اَلْإِبِلِ إِلاَّ أَنْ تَخَافَ عَلَى مَتَاعِكَ اَلضَّيْعَةَ فَاكْنُسْهُ وَ رُشَّهُ بِالْمَاءِ وَ صَلِّ فِيهِ» قَالَ «وَ كُرِهَ اَلصَّلاَةُ فِي اَلسَّبَخَةِ إِلاَّ أَنْ يَكُونَ مَكَاناً لَيِّناً تَقَعُ عَلَيْهِ اَلْجَبْهَةُ مُسْتَوِيَةً.
And Halabi asked Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq عليه السلام about praying in sheep pens, and Imam عليه السلام said: "Pray there, but do not pray in camel enclosures unless you fear for the safety of your belongings; in that case, sweep it and sprinkle it with water, then pray there." He also said: "Prayer in a salty land (sabkha) is disliked unless it is a soft, level place where the forehead can rest properly."
- Ṣaḥīḥ al-Faqīh
وَ سُئِلَ اَلصَّادِقُ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ: عَنِ اَلصَّلاَةِ فِي بُيُوتِ اَلْمَجُوسِ وَ هِيَ تُرَشُّ بِالْمَاءِ قَالَ «لاَ بَأْسَ بِهِ » ثُمَّ قَالَ وَ رَأَيْتُهُ فِي طَرِيقِ مَكَّةَ أَحْيَاناً يَرُشُّ مَوْضِعَ جَبْهَتِهِ ثُمَّ يَسْجُدُ عَلَيْهِ رَطْباً كَمَا هُوَ وَ رُبَّمَا لَمْ يَرُشَّ اَلْمَكَانَ اَلَّذِي يَرَى أَنَّهُ نَظِيفٌ.
Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq عليه السلام was asked about praying in the houses of the Magians (Zoroastrians) if they are sprinkled with water, and He said: "There is no harm in it." He then mentioned that he sometimes saw someone on the road to Makkah sprinkling water on the spot where they placed their forehead before prostrating, while at other times, they did not sprinkle water if they deemed the place to be clean.
- Ṣaḥīḥ al-Faqīh
وَقَالَ صَالِحُ بْنُ اَلْحَكَمِ سُئِلَ اَلصَّادِقُ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ: عَنِ اَلصَّلاَةِ فِي اَلْبِيَعِ وَ اَلْكَنَائِسِ فَقَالَ «صَلِّ فِيهَا» قَالَ فَقُلْتُ وَ إِنْ كَانُوا يُصَلُّونَ فِيهَا أُصَلِّي فِيهَا قَالَ «نَعَمْ أَ مَا تَقْرَأُ اَلْقُرْآنَ: « قُلْ كُلٌّ يَعْمَلُ عَلىٰ شٰاكِلَتِهِ فَرَبُّكُمْ أَعْلَمُ بِمَنْ هُوَ أَهْدىٰ سَبِيلاً » صَلِّ إِلَى اَلْقِبْلَةِ وَ دَعْهُمْ.
Saleh ibn Al-Hakam reported that Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq عليه السلام was asked about praying in synagogues and churches. Imam عليه السلام said: "Pray in them." Salih then asked: "Even if they (non-Muslims) are praying there?" Imam عليه السلام said: "Yes. Do you not recite the Qur'an: 'Say, each acts according to their manner, but your Lord عز وجل knows best who is rightly guided' (Surah Al-Isra, 17:84)? Pray facing the Qibla and leave them (to their practices)."
- Ṣaḥīḥ al-Faqīh
وَ سَأَلَ زُرَارَةُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ: عَنِ اَلْبَوْلِ يَكُونُ عَلَى اَلسَّطْحِ أَوْ فِي اَلْمَكَانِ اَلَّذِي يُصَلَّى فِيهِ فَقَالَ «إِذَا جَفَّفَتْهُ اَلشَّمْسُ فَصَلِّ عَلَيْهِ فَهُوَ طَاهِرٌ.
Zurarah asked Imam Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Baqir عليه السلام about urine that is present on a rooftop or in a place where one prays. Imam عليه السلام said: "If the sun dries it, then you may pray on it, for it is purified”.
- Ṣaḥīḥ al-Faqīh, p. 35
وَ سَأَلَ عَامِرُ بْنُ نُعَيْمٍ اَلْقُمِّيُّ أَبَا عَبْدِ اَللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ: عَنِ اَلْمَنَازِلِ اَلَّتِي يَنْزِلُهَا اَلنَّاسُ فِيهَا أَبْوَالُ اَلدَّوَابِّ وَ اَلسِّرْجِينُ وَ يَدْخُلُهَا اَلْيَهُودُ وَ اَلنَّصَارَى كَيْفَ نَصْنَعُ بِالصَّلاَةِ فِيهَا فَقَالَ «صَلِّ عَلَى ثَوْبِكَ.
Amir ibn Nuaym al-Qummi asked Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq عليه السلام about places where people stay that contain the urine of animals, manure, and are frequented by Jews and Christians. He asked: "What should we do about praying in such places?" Abu 'Abdillah replied: "Pray on your garment."
- Ṣaḥīḥ al-Faqīh, p. 35
وَ سَأَلَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ مَهْزِيَارَ أَبَا اَلْحَسَنِ اَلثَّالِثَ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ: عَنِ اَلرَّجُلِ يَصِيرُ فِي اَلْبَيْدَاءِ فَتُدْرِكُهُ صَلاَةٌ فَرِيضَةٌ فَلاَ يَخْرُجُ مِنَ اَلْبَيْدَاءِ حَتَّى يَخْرُجَ وَقْتُهَا كَيْفَ يَصْنَعُ بِالصَّلاَةِ وَ قَدْ نُهِيَ أَنْ يُصَلِّيَ بِالْبَيْدَاءِ فَقَالَ «يُصَلِّي فِيهَا وَ يَتَجَنَّبُ قَارِعَةَ اَلطَّرِيقِ.
Ali ibn Mahziyar asked Abu Al-Hasan the Third, Imam Ali ibn Muhammad Al-Hadi عليه السلام, about a man who finds himself in the desert (al-Bayda') when the time for an obligatory prayer comes and does not leave the desert until the prayer's time has passed. He asked: "What should he do about the prayer, given that it is prohibited to pray in al-Bayda'?" Imam عليه السلام said: "He should pray there, but he should avoid the main path (road)."
- Ṣaḥīḥ al-Faqīh, p. 36
وَ رَوَى عَنْهُ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ أَيُّوبُ بْنُ نُوحٍ أَنَّهُ قَالَ - «يَتَنَحَّى عَنِ اَلْجَوَادِّ يَمْنَةً وَ يَسْرَةً وَ يُصَلِّي.
It was narrated from Imam عليه السلام said, by Ayyub ibn Nuh that He said: "One should move away from the main roads to the right or to the left and pray."
- Ṣaḥīḥ al-Faqīh, p. 36
وَ سَأَلَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ جَعْفَرٍ أَخَاهُ مُوسَى بْنَ جَعْفَرٍ عَلَيْهِمَا اَلسَّلاَمُ: عَنِ اَلْبَيْتِ وَ اَلدَّارِ لاَ تُصِيبُهُمَا اَلشَّمْسُ وَ يُصِيبُهُمَا اَلْبَوْلُ وَ يُغْتَسَلُ فِيهِمَا مِنَ اَلْجَنَابَةِ أَ يُصَلَّى فِيهِمَا إِذَا جَفَّا قَالَ «نَعَمْ» قَالَ وَ سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ اَلصَّلاَةِ بَيْنَ اَلْقُبُورِ هَلْ تَصْلُحُ فَقَالَ «لاَ بَأْسَ بِهِ.
Ali ibn Ja'far asked his brother Imam Musa ibn Jafar Al-Kadhim عليه السلام about a house or room that does not receive sunlight and in which urine might be present and where one bathes after major ritual impurity (janabah). He asked if it is permissible to pray there once it has dried? Imam عليه السلام said: "Yes." Ali ibn Ja'far also asked about praying between graves? Imam عليه السلام said: "There is no harm in it."
- Ṣaḥīḥ al-Faqīh
وَ سَأَلَ عَمَّارُ بْنُ مُوسَى اَلسَّابَاطِيُّ أَبَا عَبْدِ اَللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ: عَنِ اَلْبَارِيَّةِ يُبَلُّ قَصَبُهَا بِمَاءٍ قَذِرٍ هَلْ تَجُوزُ اَلصَّلاَةُ عَلَيْهَا فَقَالَ «إِذَا جُفِّفَتْ فَلاَ بَأْسَ بِالصَّلاَةِ عَلَيْهَا.
Ammar ibn Musa al-Sabati asked Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq عليه السلام about a mat made of reeds that had been wetted with impure water, and whether it is permissible to pray on it. Imam عليه السلام said: "If it has dried, then there is no harm in praying on it”.
- Ṣaḥīḥ al-Faqīh
وَ سَأَلَ زُرَارَةُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ: عَنِ اَلشَّاذَكُونَةِ تَكُونُ عَلَيْهَا اَلْجَنَابَةُ أَ يُصَلَّى عَلَيْهَا فِي اَلْمَحْمِلِ فَقَالَ «لاَ بَأْسَ بِالصَّلاَةِ عَلَيْهَا.
Zurarah asked Imam Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Baqir عليه السلام about a cushion (shadhakunah) that may have come into contact with major ritual impurity (janabah) and whether it is permissible to pray on it while it is in a carriage (mahmil). Imam عليه السلام said: "There is no harm in praying on it."
- Ṣaḥīḥ al-Faqīh
وَ رَوَى مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ مُسْلِمٍ عَنْ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ أَنَّهُ قَالَ: «لاَ بَأْسَ بِأَنْ تُصَلِّيَ عَلَى كُلِّ اَلتَّمَاثِيلِ إِذَا جَعَلْتَهَا تَحْتَكَ.
Muhammad ibn Muslim narrated from Imam Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Baqir عليه السلام that He said: "There is no harm in praying on any images (representations) if you place them beneath you."
- Ṣaḥīḥ al-Faqīh
وَ سَأَلَ لَيْثٌ اَلْمُرَادِيُّ أَبَا عَبْدِ اَللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ: عَنِ اَلْوَسَائِدِ تَكُونُ فِي اَلْبَيْتِ فِيهَا اَلتَّمَاثِيلُ عَنْ يَمِينٍ أَوْ عَنْ شِمَالٍ فَقَالَ «لاَ بَأْسَ بِهِ مَا لَمْ تَكُنْ تُجَاهَ اَلْقِبْلَةِ وَ إِنْ كَانَ شَيْءٌ مِنْهَا بَيْنَ يَدَيْكَ مِمَّا يَلِي اَلْقِبْلَةَ فَغَطِّهِ وَ صَلِّ.
Laith al-Muradi asked Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq عليه السلام about cushions in the house that have images on them, whether they are to the right or to the left. Imam عليه السلام said: "There is no harm in it as long as they are not facing the Qibla. If any of them are in front of you, facing the Qibla, then cover them and pray."
- Ṣaḥīḥ al-Faqīh, p. 36
وَ سُئِلَ: عَنِ اَلتَّمَاثِيلِ تَكُونُ فِي اَلْبِسَاطِ لَهَا عَيْنَانِ وَ أَنْتَ تُصَلِّي فَقَالَ «إِنْ كَانَ لَهَا عَيْنٌ وَاحِدَةٌ فَلاَ بَأْسَ وَ إِنْ كَانَ لَهَا عَيْنَانِ وَ أَنْتَ تُصَلِّي فَلاَ.
He, Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq عليه السلام, was asked about images on a carpet that have two eyes while you are praying. Imam عليه السلام said: "If it has one eye, then there is no harm, but if it has two eyes and you are praying, then it is not permissible."
- Ṣaḥīḥ al-Faqīh, p. 36
وَقَالَ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ: «لاَ بَأْسَ بِالصَّلاَةِ وَ أَنْتَ تَنْظُرُ إِلَى اَلتَّصَاوِيرِ إِذَا كَانَتْ بِعَيْنٍ وَاحِدَةٍ.
Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq عليه السلام said: "There is no harm in praying while looking at images if they have only one eye."
- Ṣaḥīḥ al-Faqīh
وَقَالَ اَلصَّادِقُ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ: «لاَ تُصَلِّ فِي دَارٍ فِيهَا كَلْبٌ إِلاَّ أَنْ يَكُونَ كَلْبَ صَيْدٍ وَ أَغْلَقْتَ دُونَهُ بَاباً فَلاَ بَأْسَ وَ إِنَّ اَلْمَلاَئِكَةَ لاَ تَدْخُلُ بَيْتاً فِيهِ كَلْبٌ وَ لاَ بَيْتاً فِيهِ تَمَاثِيلُ وَ لاَ بَيْتاً فِيهِ بَوْلٌ مَجْمُوعٌ فِي آنِيَةٍ.
Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq عليه السلام said: "Do not pray in a house where there is a dog, except if it is a hunting dog and you have closed a door between you and it, then there is no harm. Indeed, the angels do not enter a house where there is a dog, nor a house with images, nor a house with urine collected in a container."
- Ṣaḥīḥ al-Faqīh
ولا يجوز الصلاة في بيت فيه خمر محصورة في أنية.
Additionally, it is not permissible to pray in a house where there is wine stored in containers.
وَ رَوَى أَبُو بَصِيرٍ عَنِ اَلصَّادِقِ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ أَنَّهُ قَالَ - «مَنْ كَانَ فِي مَوْضِعٍ لاَ يَقْدِرُ عَلَى اَلْأَرْضِ فَلْيُومِ إِيمَاءً وَ إِنْ كَانَ فِي أَرْضٍ مُنْقَطِعَةٍ.
Abu Basir narrated from Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq عليه السلام that He said: "Whoever is in a place where they cannot reach the ground should make gestures (for prayer), even if they are in a remote area”.
- Ṣaḥīḥ al-Faqīh
وَ سَأَلَهُ سَمَاعَةُ بْنُ مِهْرَانَ: عَنِ اَلْأَسِيرِ يَأْسِرُهُ اَلْمُشْرِكُونَ فَتَحْضُرُهُ اَلصَّلاَةُ فَيَمْنَعُهُ اَلَّذِي أَسَرَهُ مِنْهَا فَقَالَ «يُومِئُ إِيمَاءً.
Sama’a ibn Mehran asked Him about a captive taken by the polytheists who is prevented from performing prayer by his captor. Imam عليه السلام said: "He should make gestures (for prayer)."
- Ṣaḥīḥ al-Faqīh
وَ سَأَلَ مُعَاوِيَةُ بْنُ وَهْبٍ أَبَا عَبْدِ اَللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ: عَنِ اَلرَّجُلِ وَ اَلْمَرْأَةِ يُصَلِّيَانِ فِي بَيْتٍ وَاحِدٍ فَقَالَ «إِذَا كَانَ بَيْنَهُمَا قَدْرُ شِبْرٍ صَلَّتْ بِحِذَاهُ وَحْدَهَا وَ هُوَ وَحْدَهُ لاَ بَأْسَ.
Muawiya ibn Wahb asked Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq عليه السلام about a man and a woman praying in the same room. Imam عليه السلام said: "If there is a space of about a handspan (shibr) between them, She may pray beside him alone and he alone; there is no harm."
- Ṣaḥīḥ al-Faqīh, p. 36
وَ فِي رِوَايَةِ زُرَارَةَ عَنْ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ: «إِذَا كَانَ بَيْنَهَا وَ بَيْنَهُ قَدْرُ مَا يُتَخَطَّى أَوْ قَدْرُ عَظْمِ ذِرَاعٍ فَصَاعِداً فَلاَ بَأْسَ إِنْ صَلَّتْ بِحِذَاهُ وَحْدَهَا.
In the narration of Zurarah from Imam Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Baqir عليه السلام, said: "If there is a distance between her and him that is about the length of a step or about the length of a cubit or more, then there is no harm if She prays beside him alone."
- Ṣaḥīḥ al-Faqīh
وَ رَوَى جَمِيلٌ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اَللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ أَنَّهُ قَالَ - «لاَ بَأْسَ أَنْ تُصَلِّيَ اَلْمَرْأَةُ بِحِذَاءِ اَلرَّجُلِ وَ هُوَ يُصَلِّي فَإِنَّ اَلنَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اَللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَ آلِهِ كَانَ يُصَلِّي وَ عَائِشَةُ مُضْطَجِعَةٌ بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ وَ هِيَ حَائِضٌ وَ كَانَ إِذَا أَرَادَ أَنْ يَسْجُدَ غَمَزَ رِجْلَيْهَا فَرَفَعَتْ رِجْلَيْهَا حَتَّى يَسْجُدَ.
Jamil narrated from Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq عليه السلام in which He said: "There is no harm if a woman prays beside a man while he is praying. Indeed, The Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم would pray while Aisha was lying down in front of him, even though She was menstruating. When he wanted to prostrate, he would touch her legs, and She would move them so that he could prostrate."
- Ṣaḥīḥ al-Faqīh
ولا بأس أن يكون بين يدي الرجل والمرأة وهما يصليان مرفقة أو شئ.
There is also no harm if there is a small object, such as an armrest or something similar, in front of a man and woman while they are praying.
Commentary #1