Proper Alignment of Rows During Congregational Prayer

Author: Shaykh Hafiz Abdul Sattar Hamad (Hafizahullah)

Arabic Text:

أَقِيمُوا الصُّفُوفَ فَإِنِّي أَرَاكُمْ خَلْفَ ظَهْرِي


“Straighten your rows, for I see you even behind my back.”
[Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-Adhan: 718]

Key Points:​

Method of Straightening Rows:
  • Narration of Anas (RA):
    Anas (رضي الله عنه) described:
    “We would align our shoulders with those of our companions and place our feet next to theirs.”
    [Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-Adhan: 725]
  • Narration of Nu’man bin Bashir (RA):
    Nu’man bin Bashir (رضي الله عنه) elaborated:
    “Each of us would place his ankle next to the ankle of his companion.”
    [Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-Adhan: 725]
Emphasis on Straight Rows by Rasulullah ﷺ:
  • Rasulullah ﷺ turned to the people and said:
    “Straighten your rows.” He repeated this command three times and added:
    “By Allah, straighten your rows, or Allah will create discord in your hearts.”
    [Sunan Abi Dawood, Kitab al-Safuf: 662]
Decline in Practice After the Era of the Companions:
  • Statement of Anas (RA):
    Anas (رضي الله عنه) lamented:
    “If I try to align my foot with my companion’s foot or my ankle with his ankle today, he reacts like an unruly mule.”
    [Fath al-Bari, 2:274]
This indicates that after the time of the Companions, Muslims gradually became negligent of this Sunnah, to the extent that it seemed unfamiliar to many.

Scholarly Opinions on Straightening Rows:
  • Imam Muhammad (رحمه الله):
    He stated:
    “There should be no gaps left in the rows.”
  • Imam Abu Hanifah (رحمه الله):
    He shared the same view.
    [Kitab al-Athar, 1:192]
Current Negligence:
  • This practice, though established as Sunnah, has largely been abandoned in modern times.
  • It is regrettable that something so important and non-controversial has been neglected, despite clear instructions from Rasulullah ﷺ.

Practical Guidelines:​

  1. Alignment of Rows: Ensure shoulders, feet, and ankles are aligned with companions in the row.
  2. Close Gaps: Avoid leaving any gaps in the rows to maintain unity and order.
  3. Revival of Sunnah: Revive this practice to align with the teachings of Rasulullah ﷺ and the practice of the Companions.
And Allah knows best.
 
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