Is crossing someone while he is praying permissible?
The question of whether crossing someone while they are praying is permissible has different views in Sunni and Shia scholarship.
According to Sunni scholarship, as reflected in Sunan Abu Dawud, the Prophet ﷺ stated: If one of you prays facing anything other than a barrier, then his prayer is broken by a dog, a donkey, a pig, a Jew, a Magian, or a woman who passes in front of him by throwing a stone. If they pass in front, it is permissible but the prayer is still broken.
Sunan Abu Dawud 2:314 This indicates that while it is permissible for someone to pass in front of a person praying, it still breaks their prayer, suggesting a degree of caution is advised.
In Shia scholarship, Majma al-Bayan explains that nothing interrupts the prayer of a Muslim, but it is recommended to shield oneself from distractions as much as possible. Al-Kafi narrates that when asked about a man whose prayer is interrupted by something passing before him, it is stated: Nothing interrupts the prayer of a Muslim, but repel it as much as you can.
Al-Kafi 4:425 This highlights a similar understanding that while crossing does not technically invalidate the prayer, it is better to maintain some form of barrier or protection.
In summary, while both traditions agree that crossing does not invalidate the prayer, they emphasize different aspects regarding the impact it has on the prayer's integrity. For a ruling that applies to your specific situation, consult a qualified local scholar.
Sources
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Sunan Abu Dawud 2:314
Sunan Abu Dawud · Book 2, Hadith 314 · Narrated by Ibn Abbas
The Prophet said, "If one of you prays facing anything other than a barrier, then his prayer is broken by a dog, a donkey, a pig, a Jew, a Magian, or a woman who passes in front of him by throwing a stone. If they pass in front, it is permissible but the prayer is still broken."
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Al-Kafi 4:425
Al-Kafi · Book 4, Hadith 425
Ali ibn Muhammad narrated from Muhammad ibn Ahmad al-Qalanisi from Ali ibn al-Husayn ibn Amr from Ali ibn Mahziyar who said: I said to Abu al-Hasan (peace be upon him), "If existence is, then to whom is it?" He said, "My covenant is to the elder of my sons." — OR — I asked him about a man whose prayer is interrupted by something passing before him. He said, "Nothing interrupts the prayer of a Muslim, but repel it as much as you can." I asked about a man who has a nosebleed that did not stop until the time of prayer had entered. He said, "He should fill his nose with something, then pray, and not prolong the prayer if he fears the blood will precede him." He added, "If a person turns around during a prescribed prayer without a break, and the turning is improper, he should repeat the prayer. But if he already made the final sitting (tashahhud), then he need not repeat it."
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