Question
One time, by mistake, I told some women in a prayer room, who wanted to pray but were waiting for some women to pray so they could pass in front of them, I told them that it was okay since it was a prayer room, and we do pass in front of others in the Masjids.
But I have recently learnt that you can only pass in front of others when the congregation takes place, and otherwise you cannot and the person praying must stop the person from passing or else the person passing is a devil.
I told a lot of women there this, and I am sincerely sorry for speaking without knowledge and have asked Allah (swt) to forgive me, but I feel guilty for spreading wrong information which they might take to be true, and might even pass on to others!
What can I do, and would the sin of these people come on to me? Can you please also tell me what should one do in a Masjid, where people usually pass by in front of you when you are just praying normally (not in congregation)? Does this apply to the Masjids at Makkah and Madinah also?
Answer
- Consequence of speaking without knowledge
- Passing in front of someone who is praying alone
- Passing in front of someone who is praying in congregation
Praise be to Allah.
Consequence of speaking without knowledge
You should note – may Allah forgive you – that you have committed a great sin, which is attributing someting to Allah without sure knowledge. This is a sin which Allah mentioned in conjunction with Shirk (ascribing a partner or rival to Allah). Allah says (interpretation of the meaning): “Say (O Muhammad): (But) the things that my Lord has indeed forbidden are immoralities whether committed openly or secretly, sins (of all kinds), unrighteous oppression, joining partners (in worship) with Allah for which He has given no authority, and saying things about Allah of which you have no knowledge.” [Al-A`raf 7:33]
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Whoever introduces a good way in Islam which is followed after he dies will have a reward like that of those who did it, without that detracting from their reward in the slightest. Whoever introduces a bad way in Islam which is followed after he dies will have a burden of sin like that of those who did it, without that detracting from their burden in the slightest.” (Narrated by Muslim, 1017, from Jarir ibn ‘Abdullah)
So you have to repent to Allah and seek His forgiveness for this sin. I ask Allah to bless you with sincere repentance.
You should also strive to correct your mistake by telling those who heard what you said before without knowledge.
