What Should a Lone Person Do If No Space Is Left in the First Row?
Source: Fatāwā Amunpuri by Shaykh Ghulam Mustafa Zaheer Amunpuri
If a person comes to the mosque and finds that the first row is full, and he is alone behind the row, what should he do?
If someone comes for prayer and finds the row (ṣaff) complete, and he is left alone behind it, then two options are available:
This is the preferable action.
“The Prophet ﷺ was praying. I came and stood on his left side.
He took my hand, turned me around during the prayer, and made me stand on his right.
Then Jabbār ibn Ṣakhr رضي الله عنه came and stood on his left, so the Prophet ﷺ took both of us and placed us behind him in a row.”
Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 3010
✔ This shows that:
Note: Breaking a row without excuse is blameworthy.
However, moving back to accommodate a new row is a valid excuse, just like someone breaking wudūʾ during prayer and leaving the row.
If for any reason:
Then:
✔ He should wait until another worshipper joins him.
✖ But he must not pray alone behind the row.
If he fears that by waiting, the congregational prayer might end,
he should still not pray alone behind the row, because:
✔ Two options when first row is full and you are alone:
✖ Do not pray alone behind the row — the prayer will be invalid and must be repeated.
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:
If a person comes to the mosque and finds that the first row is full, and he is alone behind the row, what should he do?
❖ Answer:
If someone comes for prayer and finds the row (ṣaff) complete, and he is left alone behind it, then two options are available:
① Pull someone from the front row to join him
This is the preferable action.
❀ Narrated by Sayyidunā Jābir رضي الله عنه:
“The Prophet ﷺ was praying. I came and stood on his left side.
He took my hand, turned me around during the prayer, and made me stand on his right.
Then Jabbār ibn Ṣakhr رضي الله عنه came and stood on his left, so the Prophet ﷺ took both of us and placed us behind him in a row.”
Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 3010✔ This shows that:
- Creating a new row behind the existing one is permitted.
- The Prophet ﷺ himself moved companions during prayer to form a proper row.
- Pulling someone back from the front row is not considered breaking the row (which is prohibited in other contexts).
Note: Breaking a row without excuse is blameworthy.However, moving back to accommodate a new row is a valid excuse, just like someone breaking wudūʾ during prayer and leaving the row.
② If unable or unwilling to pull someone back
If for any reason:
- He does not wish to pull anyone back
- Or is unable to do so,
Then:
✔ He should wait until another worshipper joins him.
✖ But he must not pray alone behind the row.
Important Warning:
If he fears that by waiting, the congregational prayer might end,
he should still not pray alone behind the row, because:
- Waiting and missing the congregation is a lesser harm
- But praying alone behind the row is invalid, and such a prayer must be repeated
Summary:
✔ Two options when first row is full and you are alone:
- Pull someone from the front row to stand with you
- Wait for another worshipper to join
✖ Do not pray alone behind the row — the prayer will be invalid and must be repeated.
ھذا ما عندي، والله أعلم بالصواب
This is what I understand, and Allah knows best what is correct.
