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]
④ Scholarly Opinions on Straightening Rows:
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:
① 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]
- 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]
- 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]
④ 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]
- 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:
- Alignment of Rows: Ensure shoulders, feet, and ankles are aligned with companions in the row.
- Close Gaps: Avoid leaving any gaps in the rows to maintain unity and order.
- Revival of Sunnah: Revive this practice to align with the teachings of Rasulullah ﷺ and the practice of the Companions.