Author: Ibn Basheer Al-Husayni
Presented here are the issues related to the formation of rows in an extremely concise manner:
❀ The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: "Whoever joins the row, Allah will join him (with His mercy)." [Abu Dawood: 666, its chain is Hasan]
❀ The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said:
"Straighten your rows."
[Sahih Bukhari: 723, Sahih Muslim: 433]❀ It is narrated from Sayyidina Nu’man bin Bashir (RA) that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) used to straighten our rows as if he were straightening arrows. [Sahih Muslim: 436]
❀ Sayyidina Nu’man bin Bashir (RA) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) faced the people and said: "People! Straighten your rows, people! Straighten your rows, people! Straighten your rows. Listen, if you do not straighten your rows, Allah will cause discord among your hearts." Then it became such that every person would place his ankle against the ankle, knee against the knee, and shoulder against the shoulder of his companion. [Sahih Bukhari: 718]
❀ Ankle to ankle, knee to knee, shoulder to shoulder should be aligned. [Abu Dawood: 662, this Hadith is authentic]❀ Chest to chest and shoulder to shoulder (should be aligned with the adjacent person). [Abu Dawood: 664, its chain is authentic]
❀ Sayyidina Abdullah bin Umar (RA) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: "Establish the rows, equalize the shoulders, and fill in the gaps (that remain between the rows). Be soft for your brothers (worshippers) and do not leave any space for the devil in the rows. Whoever joins the row, Allah will join him (with His mercy), and whoever cuts the row, Allah will cut him (from His mercy)." [Abu Dawood: 666, its chain is Hasan]
❀ Sayyidina Anas (RA) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said:
"Join your rows like a solid wall."
[Abu Dawood: 667, its chain is authentic]
❀ If there are gaps in the rows, the devil enters in the form of a black sheep. [Abu Dawood: 667, its chain is authentic]
Some people stand apart from each other in the rows in such a way that there is at least a four-inch or more gap between every two individuals. In this manner, neither do the shoulders of the worshippers touch each other, nor do their feet. Instead, it appears as a scattered, broken row, as if they are testifying with their stance that just as they are standing apart, their hearts are also far apart from each other. There is absolutely no evidence in the Quran and Hadith for standing apart in the rows.
❀ Sayyidina Bara bin Azib (RA) said: "When we stood for prayer behind the Messenger of Allah (PBUH), we preferred to stand on his right side." [Sahih Muslim: 709]
❀ Sayyidina Anas (RA) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: "Complete the first row, then the one that is nearest to it." [Abu Dawood: 671, this Hadith is authentic]
❀ Sayyidina Abu Sa'id Al-Khudri (RA) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: "People will continue to keep back (from the first row) until Allah will also put them at the back (from His mercy)." [Sahih Muslim: 438]
❀ Sayyidina Bara bin Azib (RA) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: "Indeed, Allah and His angels send blessings upon the first row." [Ibn Majah: 997, its chain is authentic]
❀ Sayyidina Irbad bin Sariyah (RA) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) would pray for forgiveness three times for the first row and once for the second row. [Sunan An-Nasa'i: 818, Ahmad 4/128]
❀ Sayyidina Abu Hurairah (RA) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: "The best row for men is the first row, and the worst is the last. The best row for women is the last row, and the worst is the first." [Sahih Muslim: 440]
❀ Sayyidina Anas (RA) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: "Complete the first row, and if there is any deficiency, let it be in the last row." [Sahih Ibn Khuzaymah: 1546, 1547, and Sunan Abu Dawood: 671, this Hadith is authentic]
◈ Adults and wise individuals should stand near the Imam in the first row.❀ Sayyidina Abu Mas'ud (RA) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: "Let those who are mature and wise be close to me, then those who are next to them, then those who are next to them." [Sahih Muslim: 432]
◈ Young boys should stand in the back rows.❀ Sayyidina Abu Musa Al-Ash'ari (RA) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) stood for prayer, the men formed a row first, then the boys, and then he led the prayer. After finishing, he said: "This is the prayer of my Ummah." [Abu Dawood: 677, its chain is Hasan, and Ibn Al-Mulqin also graded it Hasan in Tuhfat al-Muhtaj: 548]
◈ If a woman prays in congregation, she should stand in the last row.❀ In the Hadith of Sayyidina Anas (RA), it is mentioned: "I and a boy stood behind the Messenger of Allah (PBUH), and an old woman stood behind us alone." [Sahih Bukhari: 427, 380; Sahih Muslim: 658]
Benefit 1:
If there is one child, he can stand with the men.
Benefit 2:
If a woman stands alone in the row, her prayer is valid.
❀ Sayyidina Wabisah (RA) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) saw a man praying alone behind the row, and he ordered him to repeat the prayer. [Abu Dawood: 682, its chain is authentic]
Note:
All narrations about pulling someone from the next row are weak. However, based on the analogy of one Imam and one follower, it is permissible to pull someone from the next row. Allah knows best.
If there is one Imam and one male follower, the follower should stand on the right side of the Imam. The Imam will be on the left side.
❀ Sayyidina Abdullah bin Abbas (RA) narrated: "I spent the night at the house of my aunt (Sayyidah Maymunah RA). During the night, the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) got up to pray, and I joined him on his left side. He took hold of my head and made me stand on his right side." [Sahih Bukhari: 699]
❀ Sayyidina Jabir (RA) also stood on the left side of the Messenger of Allah (PBUH), and the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) took his hand and moved him to his right side. [Sahih Muslim: 3010]
Imam of Imams, Imam Ibn Khuzaymah said:"If a single man is a follower, it is Sunnah for him to stand on the right side of the Imam.
" [Sahih Ibn Khuzaymah 3/31 H.1570]
Benefit:
These two Hadiths also prove that if a person is performing prayer alone and another person joins him later, it is permissible to form a congregation.
Imam Bukhari (RA) has a chapter in Sahih Bukhari:
"If the Imam did not intend to lead the prayer and then a group arrives, he should lead them."
[H.199]
❀ In a lengthy Hadith narrated by Sayyidina Jabir bin Abdullah (RA), it is mentioned that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) was praying alone, and then I (Jabir) came and stood on his left side. The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) took my hand and moved me to his right side. Then Jabbar bin Sakhr (RA) came, performed ablution, and stood on the left side of the Messenger of Allah (PBUH). The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) then took both Jabir bin Abdullah and Jabbar bin Sakhr (RA) and moved them behind him until we stood behind him. [See Sahih Muslim: 3010]
This Hadith mentions the Imam moving the follower behind.
Benefit 2:
If there are an Imam and one follower praying together and a third person joins, the Imam can move to the front row.
If there is one man and one woman besides the Imam, the man should stand on the right side of the Imam, and the woman should stand behind. [Sahih Muslim: 660/269, Dar Al-Salam numbering: 1502]
❀ Sayyidah Aisha (RA) led the obligatory prayer and stood among the women in the row. [Sunan Dar Qutni 1/404 H. 1429, its chain is Hasan, Al-Hadith Magazine: 15 p. 22]
❀ Sayyidina Anas (RA) narrated that during the time of the Messenger of Allah (PBUH), we would avoid making rows between pillars. [Abu Dawood: 673, its chain is authentic]
❀ Sayyidina Anas (RA) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said:
". . . Come close together in the rows."
[Abu Dawood: 667, its chain is authentic, An-Nasa'i: 816]
◈ The Imam should not begin the prayer until all rows are straight.❀ Sayyidina Nu’man bin Bashir (RA) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) would straighten our rows when we stood for prayer. Once the rows were straight, he (PBUH) would say the Takbeer. [Abu Dawood: 665, its chain is authentic]
◈ The Imam should personally ensure the rows are straight and should emphasize this.◈ The Imam should walk through the rows, place his hands on the shoulders and chests of the worshippers, and instruct them to straighten up and not lag behind or move ahead.
Presented here are the issues related to the formation of rows in an extremely concise manner:
1. Standing Together in Rows
❀ The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: "Whoever joins the row, Allah will join him (with His mercy)." [Abu Dawood: 666, its chain is Hasan]
- Imam Ibn Khuzaymah [1549], Al-Hakim [1/213], and Al-Dhahabi have deemed this Hadith authentic.
2. Aligning the Rows
❀ The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said:
"Straighten your rows."
[Sahih Bukhari: 723, Sahih Muslim: 433]❀ It is narrated from Sayyidina Nu’man bin Bashir (RA) that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) used to straighten our rows as if he were straightening arrows. [Sahih Muslim: 436]
3. Straightening the Rows
❀ Sayyidina Nu’man bin Bashir (RA) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) faced the people and said: "People! Straighten your rows, people! Straighten your rows, people! Straighten your rows. Listen, if you do not straighten your rows, Allah will cause discord among your hearts." Then it became such that every person would place his ankle against the ankle, knee against the knee, and shoulder against the shoulder of his companion. [Sahih Bukhari: 718]
4. When Joining the Rows
❀ Ankle to ankle, knee to knee, shoulder to shoulder should be aligned. [Abu Dawood: 662, this Hadith is authentic]❀ Chest to chest and shoulder to shoulder (should be aligned with the adjacent person). [Abu Dawood: 664, its chain is authentic]
- Ibn Khuzaymah [1551] and Ibn Hibban [386] have authenticated it.
- Ibn Khuzaymah [1545] and Ibn Hibban [387] have authenticated it.
❀ Sayyidina Abdullah bin Umar (RA) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: "Establish the rows, equalize the shoulders, and fill in the gaps (that remain between the rows). Be soft for your brothers (worshippers) and do not leave any space for the devil in the rows. Whoever joins the row, Allah will join him (with His mercy), and whoever cuts the row, Allah will cut him (from His mercy)." [Abu Dawood: 666, its chain is Hasan]
- Ibn Khuzaymah [1549], Al-Hakim [1/213], and Al-Dhahabi have authenticated this Hadith.
5. Standing Like a Solid Wall in the Row
❀ Sayyidina Anas (RA) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said:
"Join your rows like a solid wall."
[Abu Dawood: 667, its chain is authentic]
- Ibn Khuzaymah [1545] and Ibn Hibban [387] have authenticated this Hadith.
Note 1:
❀ If there are gaps in the rows, the devil enters in the form of a black sheep. [Abu Dawood: 667, its chain is authentic]
- Ibn Khuzaymah [1545] and Ibn Hibban [387] have authenticated this Hadith.
Note 2:
Some people stand apart from each other in the rows in such a way that there is at least a four-inch or more gap between every two individuals. In this manner, neither do the shoulders of the worshippers touch each other, nor do their feet. Instead, it appears as a scattered, broken row, as if they are testifying with their stance that just as they are standing apart, their hearts are also far apart from each other. There is absolutely no evidence in the Quran and Hadith for standing apart in the rows.
Preferred Practices for Row Formation
6. Standing on the Right Side of the Row is More Preferred
❀ Sayyidina Bara bin Azib (RA) said: "When we stood for prayer behind the Messenger of Allah (PBUH), we preferred to stand on his right side." [Sahih Muslim: 709]
- In Sahih Ibn Khuzaymah, it is also mentioned: "Because he (PBUH) would start the Salaam from his right side." [H.1564]
7. Arrangement of Rows
❀ Sayyidina Anas (RA) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: "Complete the first row, then the one that is nearest to it." [Abu Dawood: 671, this Hadith is authentic]
- Ibn Khuzaymah [1546] and Ibn Hibban [390] have authenticated it.
8. Warning for Always Staying Back from the First Row
❀ Sayyidina Abu Sa'id Al-Khudri (RA) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: "People will continue to keep back (from the first row) until Allah will also put them at the back (from His mercy)." [Sahih Muslim: 438]
9. Virtue of Praying in the First Row
❀ Sayyidina Bara bin Azib (RA) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: "Indeed, Allah and His angels send blessings upon the first row." [Ibn Majah: 997, its chain is authentic]
❀ Sayyidina Irbad bin Sariyah (RA) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) would pray for forgiveness three times for the first row and once for the second row. [Sunan An-Nasa'i: 818, Ahmad 4/128]
- Ibn Khuzaymah [1558], Ibn Hibban [Al-Ihsan 3/396], and Al-Hakim [1/217] have authenticated this Hadith.
10. The Best Row for Women and Men
❀ Sayyidina Abu Hurairah (RA) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: "The best row for men is the first row, and the worst is the last. The best row for women is the last row, and the worst is the first." [Sahih Muslim: 440]
11. No Deficiency in the First Row, but It Is Acceptable for the Last Row to Have Incompleteness
❀ Sayyidina Anas (RA) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: "Complete the first row, and if there is any deficiency, let it be in the last row." [Sahih Ibn Khuzaymah: 1546, 1547, and Sunan Abu Dawood: 671, this Hadith is authentic]
Order of Row Formation
12. Ranking in Row Formation
◈ Adults and wise individuals should stand near the Imam in the first row.❀ Sayyidina Abu Mas'ud (RA) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: "Let those who are mature and wise be close to me, then those who are next to them, then those who are next to them." [Sahih Muslim: 432]
◈ Young boys should stand in the back rows.❀ Sayyidina Abu Musa Al-Ash'ari (RA) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) stood for prayer, the men formed a row first, then the boys, and then he led the prayer. After finishing, he said: "This is the prayer of my Ummah." [Abu Dawood: 677, its chain is Hasan, and Ibn Al-Mulqin also graded it Hasan in Tuhfat al-Muhtaj: 548]
◈ If a woman prays in congregation, she should stand in the last row.❀ In the Hadith of Sayyidina Anas (RA), it is mentioned: "I and a boy stood behind the Messenger of Allah (PBUH), and an old woman stood behind us alone." [Sahih Bukhari: 427, 380; Sahih Muslim: 658]
Benefit 1:
If there is one child, he can stand with the men.
Benefit 2:
If a woman stands alone in the row, her prayer is valid.
13. One Should Not Pray Alone Behind the Row
❀ Sayyidina Wabisah (RA) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) saw a man praying alone behind the row, and he ordered him to repeat the prayer. [Abu Dawood: 682, its chain is authentic]
- Imam Tirmidhi [230] graded it Hasan, and Ibn Hibban [5/575-576] graded it Sahih.
Note:
All narrations about pulling someone from the next row are weak. However, based on the analogy of one Imam and one follower, it is permissible to pull someone from the next row. Allah knows best.
14. When There Are Only Two Worshippers
If there is one Imam and one male follower, the follower should stand on the right side of the Imam. The Imam will be on the left side.
❀ Sayyidina Abdullah bin Abbas (RA) narrated: "I spent the night at the house of my aunt (Sayyidah Maymunah RA). During the night, the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) got up to pray, and I joined him on his left side. He took hold of my head and made me stand on his right side." [Sahih Bukhari: 699]
❀ Sayyidina Jabir (RA) also stood on the left side of the Messenger of Allah (PBUH), and the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) took his hand and moved him to his right side. [Sahih Muslim: 3010]
Imam of Imams, Imam Ibn Khuzaymah said:"If a single man is a follower, it is Sunnah for him to stand on the right side of the Imam.
" [Sahih Ibn Khuzaymah 3/31 H.1570]
Benefit:
These two Hadiths also prove that if a person is performing prayer alone and another person joins him later, it is permissible to form a congregation.
Imam Bukhari (RA) has a chapter in Sahih Bukhari:
"If the Imam did not intend to lead the prayer and then a group arrives, he should lead them."
[H.199]
15. When There Are Two Followers, They Should Stand Behind the Imam
❀ In a lengthy Hadith narrated by Sayyidina Jabir bin Abdullah (RA), it is mentioned that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) was praying alone, and then I (Jabir) came and stood on his left side. The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) took my hand and moved me to his right side. Then Jabbar bin Sakhr (RA) came, performed ablution, and stood on the left side of the Messenger of Allah (PBUH). The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) then took both Jabir bin Abdullah and Jabbar bin Sakhr (RA) and moved them behind him until we stood behind him. [See Sahih Muslim: 3010]
- Imam Ibn Khuzaymah [1535] titled this Hadith:"Chapter on Two People Standing Behind the Imam."
This Hadith mentions the Imam moving the follower behind.
Benefit 2:
If there are an Imam and one follower praying together and a third person joins, the Imam can move to the front row.
- [See Sahih Ibn Khuzaymah: 1536, its chain is authentic, Sa'id bin Abi Hilal narrated this before his condition worsened.]
If there is one man and one woman besides the Imam, the man should stand on the right side of the Imam, and the woman should stand behind. [Sahih Muslim: 660/269, Dar Al-Salam numbering: 1502]
Further Guidelines for Row Formation
16. If a Woman Leads Other Women in Prayer, She Should Stand in the Row
❀ Sayyidah Aisha (RA) led the obligatory prayer and stood among the women in the row. [Sunan Dar Qutni 1/404 H. 1429, its chain is Hasan, Al-Hadith Magazine: 15 p. 22]
17. Rows Should Not Be Formed Between Two Pillars
❀ Sayyidina Anas (RA) narrated that during the time of the Messenger of Allah (PBUH), we would avoid making rows between pillars. [Abu Dawood: 673, its chain is authentic]
- Tirmidhi [229] graded it Hasan. Al-Hakim [1/218] and Al-Dhahabi authenticated this Hadith.
18. Rows Should Be Close to Each Other
❀ Sayyidina Anas (RA) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said:
". . . Come close together in the rows."
[Abu Dawood: 667, its chain is authentic, An-Nasa'i: 816]
- Ibn Khuzaymah [1549] and Ibn Hibban [Al-Mawardi 387] authenticated this Hadith.
19. Responsibilities of the Imam
◈ The Imam should not begin the prayer until all rows are straight.❀ Sayyidina Nu’man bin Bashir (RA) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) would straighten our rows when we stood for prayer. Once the rows were straight, he (PBUH) would say the Takbeer. [Abu Dawood: 665, its chain is authentic]
◈ The Imam should personally ensure the rows are straight and should emphasize this.◈ The Imam should walk through the rows, place his hands on the shoulders and chests of the worshippers, and instruct them to straighten up and not lag behind or move ahead.
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