❖ Question:
Our Imam places a lot of emphasis on straightening the rows before starting the prayer. What is the significance of this?
❖ Answer:
Straightening the rows in congregational prayer holds great significance in Islam. It is considered a part of establishing the prayer (Iqāmat as-Ṣalāh). As narrated from Anas (رضي الله عنه), the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“Straighten your rows, for the straightening of rows is part of establishing the prayer.”
— Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim (433), Abū Dāwūd (668), Ibn Mājah (993), Dārimī (1266), Aḥmad (177/3)
Another narration adds:
“Straighten your rows, for straightening the row is part of completing the prayer.”
These Hadiths clearly indicate that properly aligned rows are integral to the completeness and beauty of prayer. Crooked or broken rows diminish the reward and may invalidate the spiritual unity of the congregation.
❖ Examples and Warnings from the Prophet ﷺ:
- Abū Hurayrah (رضي الله عنه) reported that the Prophet ﷺ said:
“Establish the rows in prayer, for establishing the rows is part of the perfection of the prayer.”
— Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī (722), Musnad Aḥmad (485/2) - Nuʿmān ibn Bashīr (رضي الله عنه) narrated that the Prophet ﷺ used to straighten the rows like a straight spear or arrow. He warned:
“Straighten your rows or Allah will create division among your faces/hearts.”
— Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim (436), Abū Dāwūd (663), Ibn Mājah (994) - Al-Barāʾ ibn ʿĀzib (رضي الله عنه) said the Prophet ﷺ would walk from one end of the row to the other, touching shoulders and chests, saying:
“Do not differ, or your hearts will differ.”
And he also said:
“Indeed, Allah and His angels send blessings upon those who stand in the first rows.”
— Abū Dāwūd (664), al-Nasā’ī (812)
❖ What Is Required When Forming the Rows:
- Close shoulder-to-shoulder and foot-to-foot alignment is required.
- No gaps should be left between individuals.
- No excessive spacing — even a four-finger gap is discouraged.
- Rows should be straightened in standing (Qiyām) — not just in Rukūʿ.
Abdullah ibn ʿUmar (رضي الله عنهما) said the Prophet ﷺ instructed:
“Join your shoulders and align your arms. Fill the gaps, be gentle with your brothers, and do not leave space for Shayṭān. Whoever joins a row, Allah will join him; whoever cuts off a row, Allah will cut him off.”
— Abū Dāwūd (666), al-Nasā’ī (818), al-Ḥākim (1/213)
❖ The Practice of the Companions:
- Anas (رضي الله عنه) said:
“We used to align our shoulders and feet with one another.”
— Ibn Abī Shaybah (3524), Fatḥ al-Bārī (2/211) - Nuʿmān ibn Bashīr (رضي الله عنه) reported:
“The Prophet ﷺ said: ‘Straighten your rows or Allah will divide your hearts.’ Then we saw people aligning shoulder to shoulder, knee to knee, and ankle to ankle.”
— Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Abū Dāwūd (622), Aḥmad (276/4) - ʿUmar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb (رضي الله عنه) would strike the feet of worshipers to straighten the rows.
— al-Muḥallā (4/58), Ibn Abī Shaybah (3530) - ʿAbdullāh ibn ʿUmar (رضي الله عنهما) said:
“I would rather have two teeth knocked out than see a gap in the row and not fill it.”
— Abdur-Razzāq (2473), al-Muḥallā (4/59)
❖ Final Guidelines:
✔ Rows must be straight and close, free of gaps.
✔ Imams are responsible for ensuring the rows are aligned before starting prayer.
✔ Shoulders and feet should be fully aligned, not just slightly touching.
✔ Rows must be aligned from Qiyām, not just during Rukūʿ.
✔ No gapping or distancing — it is a space for Shayṭān.
✔ Aligning rows brings reward, unity, and Divine mercy.
May Allah grant us the ability to implement the Sunnah and protect us from negligence and excess.
