It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah, may Allah be pleased with him, that the Noble Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "If people knew, or if you knew, how great the reward and merit of the first row is, then only by drawing lots would it be decided (who would stand in the first row)."
Hadith Referenceصحيح ابن خزيمه / جماع أبواب قيام المأمومين خلف الإمام وما فيه من السنن / 1555