Aligning the rows for prayer, keeping the distance between the rows minimal, keeping the shoulders level in the row, joining ankle to ankle, and foot to foot is Sunnah. The Companions of the Prophet and the righteous Imams of the Salaf always practiced this. The commands regarding row formation in the Hadiths of the Prophet have been stated with great emphasis, please observe:
➊ Sayyiduna Jabir bin Samurah رضي الله عنه narrates a Hadith and says:
قَالَ: أَلَا تَصُفُّونَ كَمَا تَصُفُّ الْمَلَائِكَةُ عِنْدَ رَبِّهَا؟ فَقُلْنَا: يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ! وَكَيْفَ تَصُفُّ الْمَلَائِكَةُ عِنْدَ رَبِّهَا؟ قَالَ: يُتِمُّونَ الصُّفُوفَ الْأُوَلَ وَيَتَرَاصُّونَ فِي الصَّفِّ .
The Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم said: “Why do you not form rows as the angels form rows before their Lord?” We asked: O Messenger of Allah! How do the angels form rows before their Lord? He said: “They complete the first rows and stand so close to each other in the row that no space remains between them.” [Sahih Muslim: 180/1, Hadith 430]
➋ Sayyiduna Abu Mas’ud Ansari رضي الله عنه narrates:
كان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يمسح مناكبنا فى الصلاة ويقول: ”استووا، ولا تختلفوا، فتختلف قلوبكم“ ، . . . قال أبومسعود: فأنتم اليوم أشد اختلافا .
The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, used to straighten our shoulders with his hands in the rows of prayer and would say: Straighten up, do not be crooked, otherwise your hearts will become crooked… Abu Mas’ud, may Allah be pleased with him, says that today you are severely afflicted due to negligence in straightening the rows. [Sahih Muslim: 181/1, Hadith 432]
It is understood that if the rows are crooked, the punishment is that the hearts also become crooked, love and affection end, enmity and hostility take residence, hearts are afflicted with deadly diseases like hatred, envy, and animosity, brothers become enemies to each other, friendship turns into resentment, and such a rift occurs in hearts that seeing each other’s faces becomes unbearable. Even today, the fundamental reason for discord and division is that the hadith is not accepted as decisive and authoritative and is not acted upon. The imams of the mosques are negligent in their responsibilities and do not pay attention to straightening the rows. Allah Almighty will surely question such people on the Day of Judgment.
➌ It is narrated from Sayyiduna Bara’ bin Azib, may Allah be pleased with him, who says:
كان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يتخلل الصف من ناحية إلى ناحية، يمسح صدورنا ومناكبنا، ويقول: ”لا تختلفوا، فتختلف قلوبكم“ . . .
“The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, would enter the row and go from one side to the other. During this, he would straighten our chests and shoulders with his hands and say: Do not stand crooked, otherwise your hearts will become crooked.” [Musnad Imam Ahmad: 285/4, Sunan Abi Dawood: 664, Sunan An-Nasa’i: 812, Sunan Ibn Majah: 997, and its chain is authentic]
This hadith has been declared “Sahih” by Imam Ibn Jarood (316), Imam Ibn Khuzaymah (1556), and Imam Ibn Hibban (2161).
Imam Al-Aimmah Ibn Khuzaymah, may Allah have mercy on him (223-311 AH), classifies this hadith as follows:
باب التغليظ فى ترك تسوية الصفوف، تخوف لمخالفة الرب عزوجل بين القلوب .
“A severe warning about negligence in straightening the rows, that one should fear Allah, the Almighty, causing distance in hearts.” [Sahih Ibn Khuzaymah: 24/3]
➍ It is narrated from Sayyiduna Nu’man bin Bashir, may Allah be pleased with him, who said:
كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يُسَوِّي صُفُوفَنَا حَتَّى كَأَنَّمَا يُسَوِّي بِهَا الْقِدَاحَ، حَتَّى إذَا رَأَى أَنْا قَدْ عَقَلْنَا عَنْهُ، ثُمَّ خَرَجَ يَوْمًا، فَقَامَ حَتَّى إذَا كَادَ أَنْ يُكَبِّرَ، فَرَأَى رَجُلاً بَادِياً صَدْرُهُ، فَقَالَ: ”عِبَادَ اللَّهِ , لَتُسَوُّنَّ صُفُوفَكُمْ أَوْ لَيُخَالِفَنَّ اللَّهُ بَيْنَ وُجُوهِكُمْ“ .
“The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, kept straightening our rows as if he was aligning arrows through those rows, until he, peace be upon him, saw that we had understood this matter. Then one day he came and was about to say the Takbir for prayer. Suddenly, his blessed gaze fell upon a person who was sticking his chest out from the row. The Prophet, peace be upon him, said: ‘O servants of Allah! You must straighten your rows, otherwise Allah will put discord (enmity) in your faces.'” [Sahih Muslim: 182/1, Hadith 436]
➎ It is narrated from Sayyiduna Nu’man bin Bashir, may Allah be pleased with him, that the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said:
لَتُسَوُّنَّ صُفُوفَكُمْ أَوْ لَيُخَالِفَنَّ اللَّهُ بَيْنَ وُجُوهِكُمْ .
“You will surely straighten your rows, otherwise Allah will put opposition (hostility) in your faces.” [Sahih Bukhari: Hadith 717, Sahih Muslim: Hadith 436]
Allama Ibn Hazm (384-456 AH) says about this warning:
ھذا وعيد شديد، والو عيد لايكون إلا فى كبيرة من الكبائر .
“This is a severe warning, and warnings are always about some major sin.” [Al-Muhalli by Ibn Hazm: 55/2, Issue: 415]
➏ It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abu Musa Ash’ari رضي الله عنه that the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم said:
إذا صليتم فأقيموا صفوفكم .
“When you pray (in congregation), straighten your rows.” [Sahih Muslim: 174/1, Hadith 404]
➐ It is narrated from Sayyiduna Bara’ ibn Azib رضي الله عنه that the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم said:
”رصوا الصفوف، لا يتخللكم مثل أولاد الحذف“ ، قيل يا رسول الله ! وما أولاد الحذف؟ قال: ”غنم سود صغار، يكون باليمن“ .
“Join the rows well so that nothing like the ‘hadhf’ (young kids) can pass between you.” He was asked, “What is hadhf?” He replied, “A small goat found in Yemen.” [Musannif Ibn Abi Shaybah: 351/1, Musnad Al-Siraj: 758, Al-Mustadrak ala al-Sahihayn by Al-Hakim: 217/3, and its chain is authentic]
Imam Hakim رحمه الله declared this hadith authentic according to the conditions of Bukhari and Muslim.
➑ Sayyiduna Nu’man ibn Bashir رضي الله عنه states:
كان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يسوي يعني صفوفنا إذا قمنا للصلاة، فإذا استوينا كبر . . .
“When we stood for prayer, the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم would straighten our rows. When we became straight, he would say the Takbir for prayer.” [Sunan Abi Dawood: 665, Sahih Abi Awana: 138, and its chain is Hasan]
Hafiz Nawawi رحمه الله declared its chain authentic according to Imam Muslim’s conditions. [Khilasat al-Ahkam by Nawawi: 2470]
➒ Narrated by Sayyiduna Abu Huraira (RA) that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
”أقيموا الصف فى الصلاة، فإن إقامة الصف من حسن الصلاة“ .
“Maintain the rows in prayer, for maintaining the rows is the beauty of the prayer.” [Sahih Bukhari: Hadith: 722, Sahih Muslim: Hadith: 435]
➓ Narrated by Sayyiduna Anas (RA) that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
”سووا صفوفكم، فإن تسوية الصف من إقامة الصلاة“ .
“Straighten the rows, for the prayer is established by straightening the rows.” [Sahih Bukhari: 100/1, Hadith: 723, Sahih Muslim: 181/1, Hadith: 433]
⓫ Narrated by Sayyiduna Abu Huraira (RA) that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
”أحسنوا إقامة الصفوف فى الصلاة“
“Make the rows straight in the prayer properly.” [Musnad al-Imam Ahmad: 485/2, with authentic chain]
Imam Ibn Hibban (2179) has classified this hadith as “Sahih.”
⓬ Sayyiduna Anas bin Malik (RA) narrates:
أقيمت الصلاة، فأقبل علينا رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم بوجھ، فقال: ”أقيموا صفوفكم وتراصوا، فإني أراكم من وراء ظھري“ .
“One day after the call for prayer was made, the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) turned his noble face towards us and said: Complete the rows and stand closely together. I am watching you from behind.” [Sahih Bukhari: 100/1, Hadith: 719]
⓭ In one narration, the words are that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
”أقيموا صفوفكم، فإني أراكم من وراء ظھري“ ، وكان أحدنا يلزق منكبه بمنكب صاحبه، وقدمه بقدمه .
“Straighten your rows. I watch you from behind as well.” Then each one of us would press his shoulder to the shoulder and foot to the foot of his companion. [Sahih Bukhari: 100/1, Hadith: 725]
Tell me, is the act of those who only touch finger to finger in accordance with the Hadith or contrary to it?
⓮ It is narrated from Sayyiduna Thawban (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
”سددوا وقاربوا“ .
“Be straight and close together.” [Musnad Imam Ahmad: 282/5, Musnad al-Darimi: Hadith: 662, and its chain is Hasan]
Imam Ibn Hibban (may Allah have mercy on him) (1037) has classified this Hadith as “Sahih” (authentic).
And Imam Bayhaqi (may Allah have mercy on him) says:
ھذا إسناد موصول .
“This chain is connected.” [Shu’ab al-Iman by Bayhaqi: 2459]
⓯ Sayyiduna Anas bin Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
”اعتدلوا فى صفوفكم وتراصوا، فإني أراكم من وراء ظھري“ ، قال أنس: لقد رأيت أحدنا يلزق منكبه بمنكب صاحبه وقدمه بقدمه ولو ذهبت تفعل ذلك لترى أحدكم كانه بغل شموس.
“Be straight in the rows and join closely. I watch you from behind.” Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) says that I saw that each one of us would press his shoulder to the shoulder and foot to the foot of the one next to him. If you (today) start doing this, you will see that people will behave as if they are rebellious mules. [Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah: 350/1, Al-Fawa’id lil-Mukhlis: 2/10/1 quoting Sahih al-Albani: 31, Sunan Sa’id bin Mansur quoting Fath al-Bari by Ibn Hajar: 211/2, and its chain is Sahih]
Hafiz Ibn Hajar, may Allah have mercy on him (773-852 AH), writes in the explanation of this hadith:
وأفاد ھذا التصريح أن الفعل المذكور كان في زمن النبي صلي الله عليه وسلم، وبھذا يتم الاحتجاج به علي بيان المراد بإقامة الصف وتسويته .
“From this clarification, it is understood that the mentioned act of lining up was practiced during the time of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him. What is meant by establishing and straightening the rows? Complete evidence regarding this is found in the same hadith.” [Fath al-Bari by Ibn Hajar: 211/2]
The author of Ta’leeq al-Mughni says:
فھذه الأحاديث فيھا دلالة واضحة على الاهتمام بتسوية الصفوف، وأنھا من تمام الصلاة، على أنه لا يتأخر بعض على بعض، ولا يتقدم بعضه على بعض، وعلي أنه يلزق منكبه بمنكب صاحبه وقدمه بقدمه وركبته بركبته، لكن اليوم تركت ھذه السنة، ولو فعلت اليوم لنفر الناس كالحر الوحشية، فإنا لله وإنا إليه راجعون .
“In these ahadith, there is clear indication that attention should be given to the correctness of the rows; the prayer is completed by proper lining up. One should not stand ahead or behind in the row; a person should stand shoulder to shoulder, foot to foot, and knee to knee with the other. However, today this Sunnah has been abandoned. If you act upon this, people will run like wild vultures.” إِنَّا لِلَّـهِ وَإِنَّا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُونَ [U’un al-Ma’bood: 256/2]
Commenting on the statement of Sayyiduna Anas, may Allah be pleased with him, regarding lining up, Allama Abdul Rahman Mubarakpuri, may Allah have mercy on him (d. 1353 AH), writes:
وھكذا حال أكثر الناس في ھذا الزمان، فإنه لو فعل بھم ذلك لنفروا كأنھم حمر و حش، وصارت ھذه السنة عندھم كأنھا بدعة، عياذا بالله، فھداھم الله وأذاقھم حلاوة السنة .
“In this era, this is the condition of most people. If they are arranged in such rows, they will scatter like wild vultures. They consider this Sunnah as if it were an innovation (May Allah protect us!). May Allah guide them and grant them the sweetness of the Sunnah.” [Abkar al-Manan fi Tanqeed Athar al-Sunan by al-Mubarakfuri: p. 245]
Sheikh, may Allah have mercy on him, has spoken the truth:
The mosques of the people of innovation and the people of fanaticism are devoid of the light of this Sunnah; there is no arrangement for rows among them. People stand a palm’s length or even a foot apart. Sometimes, the gap between two people standing in a row is enough space for another person to stand. If someone tries to place foot to foot, they run away. It is as if they have intense hatred for this Sunnah. Surely, these people are preparing the destruction of the Ummah. They are enemies of the Sunnah and devotees of innovations. Allah Almighty will surely question them for opposing this Sunnah.
⓰ It is about Sayyiduna Anas bin Malik, may Allah be pleased with him:
إنه قدم المدينة، فقيل له: ما أنكرت منذ يوم عھدت رسول الله صلي الله عليه وسلم؟ قال؟ ما أنكرت شيئا إلا أنكم لا تقيمون الصف .
“When he came to Madinah Munawwarah, he was asked: Since the time of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ until today, what have you disliked about the people of Madinah? He said: I do not dislike anything about the people of Madinah except that you do not arrange yourselves in rows properly.” [Sahih Bukhari: 100/1, Hadith: 724]
On this narration, Imam Bukhari (may Allah have mercy on him) (194-256 AH) titled the chapter as:
باب إثم من لم يتم الصفوف .
“The description of the sins of those who do not complete the rows.”
⓱ Sayyiduna Nu’man bin Bashir (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates his eyewitness account as follows:
أقبل رسول الله صلي الله عليه وسلم بوجھه، فقال: أقيموا صفوفكم ثلاثا، لتقيمن صفوفكم أو ليخالفن الله بين قلوبكم، قال: فرأيت الرجل يلزق منكبه بمنكب صاحبه وركبته بركبة صاحبه وكعبه بكعبه .
“The Messenger of Allah ﷺ turned His noble face towards us and said: Establish your rows. He repeated this three times, then said: You will surely establish your rows, otherwise Allah will put discord in your hearts. Nu’man (RA) narrates: I saw that after hearing this prophetic command, one person would press his shoulder to the shoulder of another, knee to knee, and ankle to ankle.” [Musnad al-Imam Ahmad: 276/4, Sunan Abi Dawood 662, Sahih Bukhari: 100/1 briefly with commentary, and its chain is authentic]
This hadith has been declared “Sahih” by Imam Ibn Khuzaymah (160) and Imam Ibn Hibban (2176).
Hafiz Ibn Hajar, may Allah have mercy on him, has classified it as “Hasan”. [Taghleeq al-Ta’leeq: 302/2, 303]
Hafiz Nawawi, may Allah have mercy on him, says:
رواه أبوداود وغيره بأسانيد حسنة .
“This hadith has been narrated by Imam Abu Dawood and other Imams with authentic chains.” [Khulasat al-Ahkam by Nawawi: 116/1]
Zakariya bin Abi Za’idah has explicitly mentioned hearing it in Sunan al-Daraqutni (282/1) and Sahih Ibn Khuzaymah, etc.
Nasir al-Sunnah, Allamah Albani, may Allah have mercy on him (1332-1420 AH), after mentioning the hadith of Anas and the hadith of Nu’man bin Bashir, says:
وفي هذين الحديثين فوائد هامة: الأولى: وجوب إقامة الصفوف وتسويتها والتراص فيها , للأمر بذلك , والأصل فيه الوجوب , إلا لقرينة , كما هو مقرر في الأصول , والقرينة هنا تؤكد الوجوب , وهو قوله صلى الله عليه وسلم ”أو ليخالفن الله بين قلوبكم“ , فإن مثل هذا التهديد لا يقال فيما ليس بواجب , كما لا يخفى. الثانية: أن التسوية المذكورة إنما تكون بلصق المنكب بالمنكب، وحافة القدم بالقدم، لأن هذا هو الذي فعله الصحابة رضي الله عنهم حين أمروا بإقامة الصفوف، والتراص فيها , ولهذا قال الحافظ في (الفتح) بعد أن ساق الزيادة التي أوردتها في الحديث الأول من قول أنس: ”وأفاد هذا التصريح أن الفعل المذكور كان في زمن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم , وبهذا يتم الاحتجاج به على بيان المراد بإقامة الصف وتسويته“ . ومن المؤسف أن هذه السنة من التسوية قد تهاون بها المسلمون , بل أضاعوها , إلا القليل منهم , فإني لم أرها عند طائفة منهم إلا أهل الحديث، فإني رأيتهم في مكة سنة (1368هـ) حريصين على التمسك بها كغيرها من سنن المصطفى عليه الصلاة والسلام، بخلاف غيرهم من أتباع المذاهب الأربعة، لا أستثني منهم حتى الحنابلة، فقد صارت هذه السنة عندهم نسيا منسيا، بل إنهم تتابعوا على هجرها والإعراض عنها , ذلك لأن أكثر مذاهبهم نصت على أن السنة في القيام التفريج بين القدمين بقدر أربع أصابع، فإن زاد كره , كما جاء مفصلا في الفقه على المذاهب الأربعة (207/1) ، والتقدير المذكور لا أصل له في السنة، وإنما هو مجرد رأي، ولو صح لوجب تقييده بالإمام والمنفرد حتى لا يعارض به هذه السنة الصحيحة، كما تقتضيه القواعد الأصولية. وخلاصة القول: إنني أهيب بالمسلمين – وبخاصة أئمة المساجد – الحريصين على اتباعه صلى الله عليه وسلم، واكتساب فضلية إحياء سنته صلى الله عليه وسلم، أن يعملوا بهذه السنة، ويحرصوا عليها، ويدعوا الناس إليها، حتى يجتمعوا عليها جميعا، وبذلك ينجون من تهديد: ”أو ليخالفن الله بين قلوبكم“ .
“There are many important benefits in these two hadiths. The first is that establishing the rows, straightening them, and joining them properly is obligatory because there is a command from the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ regarding this. The essence of obligation lies in the command unless there is evidence against this obligation. This is firmly written in the books of principles. Here, the evidence further strengthens the obligation. That evidence is the statement of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ: ‘Otherwise, Allah will cause discord in your hearts.’ It is clear that such a threat can only be given regarding an obligatory matter. The second is that equalizing the rows means precisely that shoulder to shoulder and foot to foot should be joined properly because when the Companions were commanded to establish the rows, they did exactly that. For this reason, Hafiz Ibn Hajar, may Allah have mercy on him, after mentioning the additional words of Sayyiduna Anas رضي الله عنه which I have stated, said in Fath al-Bari: From this clarification, it is understood that this (establishing the rows) was practiced during the time of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. What is meant by establishing and straightening the rows? Complete evidence is found in this very hadith. … It is regrettable that most Muslims have not given importance to the Sunnah of straightening the rows but have neglected it. I have seen this Sunnah only among one group of Muslims, the Ahl al-Hadith. I saw them in Makkah Mukarramah in 1368 AH; like other Sunnahs of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, they were passionate about this Sunnah as well. Apart from them, others, such as followers of the four madhhabs, and even among them, I do not exempt the Hanbalis, have completely forgotten this Sunnah. They have continuously abandoned and neglected it. The reason is that in most of their madhhabs’ books, it is written that keeping a distance of four fingers between the feet of two persons is Sunnah. If the distance is more than this, it is disliked. The details of this are found in Al-Fiqh ‘ala al-Madhahib al-Arba’ah. There is no evidence in the Sunnah of the Messenger for this prescribed distance. It is merely their opinion. If it is accepted as correct, it is necessary to restrict it to the Imam and the individual (i.e., this distance should not be maintained between the followers in congregation) so that it does not contradict the correct Sunnah. This is the requirement of the principles of jurisprudence. In summary, those Muslims, especially the Imams of mosques, who are passionate followers of the Prophet ﷺ and wish to attain the virtue of reviving the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ, I invite them to act upon this Sunnah themselves, become passionate about it, and invite people to it until everyone begins to practice it. In this way, Muslims will be saved from the threat of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ: أو ليخالفن الله بين قلوبكم (Establish the rows) otherwise Allah will cause discord in your hearts.” [Silsilat al-Ahadith al-Sahihah by Al-Albani: 40/1, 41, under hadith: 23]
12. It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Umar رضي الله عنهما that the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم said:
أقيموا الصفوف وحاذوا بين المناكب، وسدوا الخلل، ولينوا بأيدي إخوانكم، ولا تذروا مزجات للشيطان، ومن وصل صفا وصله الله ومن قطع صفا قطعه الله . . .
“Straighten the rows, align the shoulders, fill the empty spaces, be gentle with your brothers (the imams of the mosques), and do not leave gaps for Satan. Whoever joins the row, Allah will join him (with His mercy), and whoever breaks the row, Allah will cut him off (from His mercy).” [Musnad al-Imam Ahmad: 98/2, Sunan Abi Dawood 666, Sunan an-Nasa’i: 820, summarized, and its chain is authentic.]
Imam Ibn Khuzaymah رحمه الله (1549) has declared this hadith “authentic,” and Imam Hakim رحمه الله (213/1) has declared it authentic according to Imam Muslim’s criteria. Hafiz Dhahabi رحمه الله has agreed with this.
Hafiz Suyuti رحمه الله (849-911 AH), after declaring its chain authentic, says:
ومعني قطعه الله، أي من الخير والفضيلة والأجر الجزيل .
“Allah will cut off the one who breaks the row, meaning Allah will deprive him of goodness, virtue, and great reward.” [Al-Hawi lil-Fatawa lil-Suyuti: 52/1]
Muhaddith Albani رحمه الله says:
فالحق أن سد الفرجة واجب ما أمكن .
“The truth is that as far as possible, it is obligatory to fill the empty space.” [Silsilat al-Ahadith al-Da’ifah lil-Albani: 323/3]
⓳ It is narrated from Sayyiduna Anas bin Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
راصوا صفوفكم، وقاربوا بينها وحاذوا بالأعناق، فوالذي نفس محمد بيده إني لأري الشياطين تدخل من خلل الصف كأنها الحذف
“Join your rows like the bricks of a building, bring them close together and keep your necks level. By the One in Whose hand is the soul of Muhammad (peace be upon him)! I see the devils entering through the empty spaces in the rows, like kids of goats.” [Sunan Abi Dawood: 667, Al-Sunan al-Kubra lil-Bayhaqi: 100/3, and its chain is authentic]
Imam Ibn Khuzaymah (1545) and Imam Ibn Hibban (2166), may Allah have mercy on them, have declared this hadith “authentic.” In Sunan al-Nasa’i, Qatadah bin Daamah has clarified the hearing of this hadith.
The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, emphasized so much about lining up in rows that the gaps between the rows should be filled, but those who call themselves Muslims do not pay attention! Rather, they mock the hadiths, asking if the devil cannot enter the row by passing between the legs? (May Allah protect us!)
Hafiz Suyuti, may Allah have mercy on him, writes:
قال الشراح: المراد بأقيموا، اعتدلوا، وتراصوا، تلاصقوا بلا خلل .
“The commentators say that establishing the rows means to stand straight, and by properly joining the rows it means to stand together without leaving any gaps.” [Al-Hawi lil-Fatawa lil-Suyuti: 52/1]
(20) Our master Abdullah bin Mas’ud, may Allah be pleased with him, says:
سووا صفوفكم فإن الشيطان يتخللها كالحذف، أو كأو لاد الحذف .
“Straighten the rows because the devil enters them like a goat or a kid.” [Al-Mu’jam al-Kabir lil-Tabarani: 275/9, Hadith: 9376, and its chain is authentic]
He also says:
لقد رأيتنا، وما تقام الصلاة حتي تكامل بنا الصفوف .
“I remember that prayer was not started until the rows were complete with us.” [Musnad al-Imam Ahmad: 419/1, and its chain is authentic]
Hafiz Haithami, may Allah have mercy on him, says:
ورجاله رجال الصحيح .
“The narrators of this hadith are the authentic narrators of Sahih Bukhari.” [Majma’ al-Zawa’id: 90/2]
Hafiz Sayuti, may Allah have mercy on him, has declared its chain of narration as “authentic.” [Al-Hawi lil-Fatawa: 53/1]
Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Masood, may Allah be pleased with him, also used to say:
سووا صفوفكم . “Straighten your rows.” [Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah: 351/1, and its chain is authentic]
(21) It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abu Saeed Khudri, may Allah be pleased with him, that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
فإذا قمتم إلى الصلوة فاعدلوا صفوفكم، وأقيموها، وسدوا الخلل، فإني أراكم من وراء ظهري .
“When you stand for prayer, straighten and correct your rows and fill the empty spaces. I also observe you from behind.” [Sahih Ibn Khuzaymah: 1548, Sahih Ibn Hibban: 401, and the wording is his, and its chain is authentic]
The Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia, the great jurist Allama Ibn Baz, may Allah have mercy on him, says:
والمشروع لمن رأى ذلك أن ينصح إخوانه ويأمرهم بسد الفرج، وعلى الأئمة أن يأمروا الجماعة بذلك تأسياً بالنبي صلى الله عليه وسلم وتنفيذاً لأمره صلى الله عليه وسلم بذلك .
“Whoever sees this (laziness in lining up) should advise his brothers and order them to fill the empty spaces. It is the duty of the imams of the mosques to command the congregation to do this and follow the example of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, thus enforcing his command.” [Majmoo’ al-Fatawa Ibn Baz: 203/12]
Abu Uthman Nahdi, may Allah have mercy on him, states:
كنت فيمن يقيم عمر بن الخطاب قدامه لإقامة الصف .
“I was among those whom Sayyiduna Umar bin Khattab, may Allah be pleased with him, used to place in front of him to straighten the rows.” [Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah: 351/1, and its chain is authentic]
It is narrated about Sayyiduna Umar ibn Khattab رضي الله عنه:
لم يكن يكبر بالصلاة للناس حتي تعدل الصفوف، ويؤكل بذلك رجالا .
“You would not start leading the people in prayer until their rows were straightened. For this task, you had assigned several men on duty.” [Juz Abi al-Jahm: 21, and its chain is authentic]
(22) Sayyiduna Uthman ibn Affan رضي الله عنه used to say:
استووا، وحاذوا بين المناكب، فإن من تمام الصلاة إقامة الصف، قال مالك بن أبى عام: وكان لا يكبر حتي يأتيه رجال قد و كلهم بإقامة الصفوف .
“Straighten up, align your shoulders because the prayer will be complete by straightening the row. Malik ibn Abi Amir narrates that you would not say Takbir al-Ihram until those people whom you had appointed to straighten the rows came to you.” (Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah: 351/1, and its chain is authentic)
(23) Suwaid ibn Ghaflah, a Tabi’i, may Allah have mercy on him, narrates:
كان بلال رضى الله عنه يسوي مناكبنا، ويضرب أقدامنا لإقامة الصف .
“Bilal رضي الله عنه used to align our shoulders and strike our feet to straighten the rows.” (Al-Matalib al-Aliyah by Ibn Hajar: 428, and its chain is authentic)
Dear readers! It is necessary to complete the rows, straighten them, fill the gaps between them, and stand together in the rows. We have presented a collection of authentic hadiths regarding this. Judge for yourself how the Ummah is neglecting these hadiths. Muslims do not realize that leaving gaps between the rows is a highly disliked act.
Severe warnings have been given about this. It diminishes the virtue of the congregation. In fact, if people do not stand close together in the row and there is a gap between them, they are considered to be praying alone behind the row. Remember that the prayer of a person standing alone behind the row is not valid. Such a person has been commanded by the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, to repeat the prayer.
(24) It is narrated from Sayyida Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her, that the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said:
إن الله وملائكته يصلون على الذين يصلون الصفوف .
“Those who join the rows, indeed Allah has mercy on them, and the angels pray for their forgiveness.” [Sahih Ibn Khuzaymah: 1550, its chain is Hasan, Al-Mustadrak ala al-Sahihayn by Al-Hakim: 214/1, and he said: Sahih according to Muslim’s criteria, Al-Dhahabi agreed and Al-Mundhiri approved: 174/1]
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) also prayed for those who join the rows:
من وصل صفا وصله الله .
“Whoever joins the rows, Allah will join him (with His mercy).” [Musnad Imam Ahmad: 98/2, Sunan Abi Dawood 666, Sunan An-Nasa’i: 820, and its chain is authentic]
Benefit:
The famous commentator Imam Ismail bin Abdul Rahman Suddi (may Allah have mercy on him) explains the verse of Allah Almighty: وَإِنَّا لَنَحْنُ الصَّافُّونَ [37-As-Saffat: 165] as follows:
للصلاة “Meaning, We are the ones who establish the rows for prayer.” [Tafsir At-Tabari: 135/23, and its chain is good]
Al-Sunnah Jhelum, Issue 36, p. 34. 49
