If the person praying does not use a sutrah (a barrier in front of him while praying), his prayer is broken by a donkey, a woman or a black dog. The evidence for this is the ḥadīth (narration) of Abū Dharr (may Allāh be pleased with him) in which he says, “the Messenger of Allāh (May Allāh praise him and Peace be upon him) said, “When you stand in prayer, having the likes of the rear of a saddle in front of you acts as a protective barrier for you. If you do not have something like the rear of a saddle in front of you, your prayer is broken by a donkey, a woman or a black dog.”” [Reported by Imam Muslim: 510]