Should someone who has already passed in front of the worshipper be repelled if they try to return the same way?

Chapter on Imamate and Congregational Prayer

Al-Mughni

Book of Prayer

Book 3 · Issue 5 · Bab 10

Open in Qurani

Primary text

It is not recommended to repel someone who has already passed and attempts to return by the same path. This is the position of Al-Sha'bi, Al-Thawri, Ishaq, and Ibn al-Mundhir. The rationale is that this subsequent passage is not considered a new attempt to cross (*ijtiyaz*) that falls under the initial command; the command addresses the desire to cross initially. Repelling the return passage would mean forbidding something that was already permitted upon the first pass.

Supporting text

A contrary view, reported from Ibn Mas'ud and practiced by Salih, holds that the person should be repelled upon return because the general command is to repel the passerby, which includes the one returning.