Aligning Feet in Prayer

Written by: Shaykh Mubashir Ahmad Rabbani (May Allah protect him)

Question:

During prayer, a friend of mine aligns his toe with the little toe of the person next to him. Some people say this is an innovation (Bid’ah). Could you please clarify this from the Quran and Hadith?

Answer:

Aligning the rows during prayer is an essential part of establishing the prayer (Iqamat as-Salah). Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said:

"Straighten your rows, for indeed straightening the rows is part of establishing the prayer."

[Sahih Bukhari, Book of Adhan: Chapter on Straightening Rows as Part of the Prayer, Hadith 723]

In another Hadith, the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:

"Establish the rows, align the shoulders, fill in the gaps, be gentle towards your brothers, and do not leave any space for Shaytan. Whoever connects the rows, Allah will connect him, and whoever breaks the rows, Allah will cut him off."

[Abu Dawood, Book of Prayer: Chapter on Straightening Rows, Hadith 666]

These authentic Ahadith show that worshippers are instructed to align the rows correctly and fill in the gaps between each other. If a person does not stand shoulder-to-shoulder and foot-to-foot with the person next to him, leaving a gap, he leaves room for Shaytan.

The Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) would align their shoulders with the shoulders and their feet with the feet of those standing next to them when forming rows. Therefore, one should align their entire foot and shoulder with the person next to them in prayer.
 
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