Sutra (Sutrah)

Sutrah - A barrier that is placed in front the person praying as a marker for any passersby not to step within. It is a part of the Sunnah and may consist of a stick or briefcase or anything of sufficient height (not less than a foot according to some scholars) and that can be clearly seen by passersby. It is usually placed just before the spot where the praying person would place their head in prostration and they should not allow anyone to pass within that space. This acts as a symbolical barrier between the person praying and others. (A screen. It refers to an object the Imam of the individual worshipper places in front of him for Prayer, such as a wall, a pillar, a stick, a saddle etc. in order to prevent anyone from passing directly in front of him)