Where Should Shoes Be Placed in the Mosque? Sunnah and Rulings

Source: Fatāwā Muḥammadiyyah, vol. 1, p. 310

Question​

Where should a worshipper place his shoes in the mosque?

Answer​

الحمد لله، والصلاة والسلام علىٰ رسول الله، أما بعد!


It is permissible for a worshipper to place his shoes on his left side, provided that there is no other person praying to his left.


◄ Placing shoes in the direction of the qiblah is not appropriate.
◄ If the shoes are new, clean, and pure, then there is no objection in placing them in front.

Evidences​

➊ Narration of ʿAbdullāh ibn al-Sāʾib (رضي الله عنه):
“I saw the Messenger of Allah ﷺ on the day of the Conquest of Makkah. He placed his sandals to his left side while praying.”
(Ibn Mājah: 1431)


➋ Narration of Abū Hurayrah (رضي الله عنه):
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“Keep your shoes with your feet. If you take them off, place them between your legs. Do not put them to your right, nor to the right of your companion, nor behind you, for that will harm the one behind you.”
(Ibn Mājah: 1432)


ھذا ما عندي والله أعلم بالصواب
(This is what I hold; and Allah knows best what is correct.)