Is Shoulder-to-Shoulder Alignment Necessary in Congregational Prayer?
Source: Fatāwā Amunpuri by Shaykh Ghulam Mustafa Zaheer Amunpuri
Is it necessary for congregants to align shoulder-to-shoulder during Ṣalāh (congregational prayer)?
✔ Yes, it is necessary for worshippers to align shoulder-to-shoulder in congregational prayer to establish straight and complete rows (ṣufūf).
"Why do you not line up (in rows) as the angels do before their Lord?"
We asked, "O Messenger of Allah, how do the angels line up before their Lord?"
He replied: "They complete the first rows and stand close together in the row without leaving gaps."
Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 430
"The Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to touch our shoulders during the prayer and say: 'Align your rows, do not differ, or your hearts will differ.'
Abū Masʿūd then remarked, "Today you are in great discord."
Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 432
This shows:
❖ The Imams should not start the prayer until the rows are:
Ignoring this duty is a serious neglect, and Imams will be questioned for it on the Day of Judgement.
"The Messenger of Allah ﷺ would walk between the rows from one end to the other. He would align our chests and shoulders with his hands and say:
'Do not be crooked, lest your hearts become crooked.'"
Musnad Aḥmad: 285/4; Sunan Abī Dāwūd: 664; Sunan Nasāʾī: 812; Sunan Ibn Mājah: 997
Authenticity:
Imām Ibn Jārūd, Imām Ibn Khuzaymah (1556), and Imām Ibn Ḥibbān (2161) graded it as Ṣaḥīḥ (authentic).
✔ Aligning shoulders during congregational prayer is:
✖ Neglecting it leads to spiritual and social disunity, and it is the responsibility of the Imams to ensure the rows are straight and joined.
ھذا ما عندي، والله أعلم بالصواب
This is what I understand, and Allah knows best what is correct.
Source: Fatāwā Amunpuri by Shaykh Ghulam Mustafa Zaheer Amunpuri
❖ Question:
Is it necessary for congregants to align shoulder-to-shoulder during Ṣalāh (congregational prayer)?
❖ Answer:
✔ Yes, it is necessary for worshippers to align shoulder-to-shoulder in congregational prayer to establish straight and complete rows (ṣufūf).
❖ Ḥadīth Evidence:
❀ Sayyidunā Jābir bin Samurah رضي الله عنه narrated:
"Why do you not line up (in rows) as the angels do before their Lord?"
We asked, "O Messenger of Allah, how do the angels line up before their Lord?"
He replied: "They complete the first rows and stand close together in the row without leaving gaps."
Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 430❀ Sayyidunā Abū Masʿūd al-Anṣārī رضي الله عنه narrated:
"The Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to touch our shoulders during the prayer and say: 'Align your rows, do not differ, or your hearts will differ.'
Abū Masʿūd then remarked, "Today you are in great discord."
Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 432 This shows:- Prophet ﷺ would physically correct the rows.
- Disruption in rows leads to discord of hearts, loss of unity, and increases enmity.
❖ Spiritual & Social Consequences:
- Uneven rows in prayer symbolize disunity and spiritual disorder.
- This can lead to:
- Loss of brotherhood and affection.
- Rise in hatred, jealousy, and animosity.
- Even close companions may turn into enemies.
❖ Responsibility of the Imam:
❖ The Imams should not start the prayer until the rows are:
- Straight
- Connected shoulder-to-shoulder
- Gaps filled
Ignoring this duty is a serious neglect, and Imams will be questioned for it on the Day of Judgement.
❖ Additional Ḥadīth:
❀ Sayyidunā Barā’ bin ʿĀzib رضي الله عنه narrated:
"The Messenger of Allah ﷺ would walk between the rows from one end to the other. He would align our chests and shoulders with his hands and say:
'Do not be crooked, lest your hearts become crooked.'"
Musnad Aḥmad: 285/4; Sunan Abī Dāwūd: 664; Sunan Nasāʾī: 812; Sunan Ibn Mājah: 997 Authenticity:Imām Ibn Jārūd, Imām Ibn Khuzaymah (1556), and Imām Ibn Ḥibbān (2161) graded it as Ṣaḥīḥ (authentic).
Summary:
✔ Aligning shoulders during congregational prayer is:
- An established Sunnah
- Practiced and enforced by the Prophet ﷺ
- Essential for preserving unity and harmony among Muslims
✖ Neglecting it leads to spiritual and social disunity, and it is the responsibility of the Imams to ensure the rows are straight and joined.
ھذا ما عندي، والله أعلم بالصواب
This is what I understand, and Allah knows best what is correct.
