It is narrated from Sayyiduna Ubayy bin Ka'b (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: The first row is like the row of angels, and if you knew its virtue, you would hasten towards it.
Hadith Referenceالفتح الربانی / أبواب صلاة الجماعة / 2661