Silsilat al-Ahadith al-Sahihah

It is narrated from Sayyiduna Anas bin Malik (may Allah be pleased with him), he states that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) turned towards us and said: "Straighten your rows and stand close together, for I see you from behind my back."

It is narrated from Sayyiduna Nu’man bin Bashir (may Allah be pleased with him), he says that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) turned towards the people and said three times: “Straighten your rows. By Allah! You must certainly straighten your rows, or else Allah, the Exalted, will cause discord among your hearts.”

It is narrated from Sayyiduna Anas (may Allah be pleased with him), he says: When the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) stood for prayer, before saying the opening Takbir, he would turn towards us and say: "Complete the rows (and in another narration: straighten up, straighten up) and stand close together, for I see you from behind my back just as I see you from in front of me."

It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Straighten the rows in prayer, for indeed straightening the rows is part of the beauty of prayer."

Lady Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Indeed, Allah Almighty and His angels send mercy upon those who join the rows, and whoever fills a gap in the row, Allah Almighty raises his rank."

Sayyidah Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) says that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Whoever fills a gap in the row, Allah Almighty will build a house for him in Paradise and will raise him one degree."

Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Safeguard the rows during prayer from disorder." That is, do not stand far apart from each other.

Sayyiduna Abu Shajrah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Straighten your rows, for you must form rows like the rows of the angels. Keep your shoulders in line, fill the gaps in the rows, and do not leave any space for Satan. Whoever joins the row, Allah will join him (with His mercy)."

Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "The best among you are those who are gentle with their shoulders in prayer (when standing together in rows). No step is more rewarding than the one taken to fill a gap in the row."