Outline
Introduction
Alhamdulillah… All praises and thanks are due to the Almighty Allah. We seek His Forgiveness at all time, and to Him, alone, we repent. May His Peace and Blessings be upon Habibi Muhammad, His household, his companions and all those who follow his guided path.
Today’s article is from within the mosques, and it discusses the reason we form rows in Solat, and why we must straighten them and close any gaps in them.
The topic gains its importance from the importance of what it belongs to. It belongs to the backbone of our Deen, which is Solat. In addition to preparing ourselves hygienically and punctually for prayers, we are also obliged to ensure we form the rows of our prayers, in the way that the Prophet Muhammad, salla Allahu ‘alaihi wasallam, trained his companions to do.
Let us begin with the importance of organization in Solat, inside the mosques, in the open fields or at homes.
The Importance of Organization in Solat
Allah wants to see us, Muslims, as organized as possible. This is emphasized in the beginning of Surah Al-Saff (Rows), 61:4, where Allah says:
إِنَّ اللَّـهَ يُحِبُّ الَّذِينَ يُقَاتِلُونَ فِي سَبِيلِهِ صَفًّا كَأَنَّهُم بُنْيَانٌ مَّرْصُوصٌ
“Indeed, Allah loves those who fight for His cause in a row, as though they are a solid cemented structure.”
Imagine: This is how we as Muslims, are expected to be perfectly organized, during war. What more during Prayers?
This is because by so doing, we look like the angels in their organization and their way of worship. None has seen angels but the Prophets and the chosen ones i.e. Maryam, ‘alaiha Al-Salam. The Prophet has described the angels' organization, in the Hadeeth of Sayyidina Abdullah Ibn Umar, radhiya Allahu ‘anhuma, which was reported by Imam(s) Ahmad and Abu Dawud:
أَقِيمُوا الصُّفُوفَ؛ فَإِنَّمَا تَصُفُّونَ كَصُفُوفِ المَلائِكَةِ
“Straighten the rows, for you form rows like the rows of the angels.”
The Prophet, salla Allahu ‘alaiahi wasallam, also did command his companions to straighten their rows, any time they stood for congregational prayers. Practically, that was to train them to become what they are supposed to be. To that effect, Sayyiduna Abu Mas'oud, radhiya Allahu ‘anhu, said in a Hadeeth reported by Imam Muslim:
كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَمْسَحُ مَنَاكِبَنَا فِي الصَّلاةِ وَيَقُولُ: (اسْتَوُوا، وَلا تَخْتَلِفُوا فَتَخْتَلِفَ قُلُوبُكُمْ
“The Messenger of Allah, salla Allahu ‘alaihi wasallam, used to touch our shoulders when we were praying and he would say: “Straighten the rows and do not differ, lest your hearts differ.”
Based on the Qur'anic verse and the Hadeeth above, it's understood that, straightening our rows in Solat, as well as closing the gaps in them, are not just for the sake of organization, it has also spiritual effect, which can reflect, and has to reflect, on our social interactions, outside the prayer places.
Forming Rows for Solat
A congregation (Jama'ah) starts with the minimum of two people, a male and a female, two males, or two females. It can however be more than two, to the number beyond our counting ability.
When a congregation consists of two males, it means one person is the Imam, and the other is the Ma’moum. The Imam leads and the Ma’moum follows. The Ma’moum (the follower) stands on the right side of the Imam. He aligns next to him, on the same line, without stepping back or aligning his toes with the ankles of the Imam. This is to say, the Imam and the Ma’moum, stand ankle-to-ankle, shoulder-to-shoulder, when only the two of them pray as a congregation.
When the congregation consists of more than two males, the Imam stands in front, and the rest forms a row or rows behind him. Thus, the Imam stands in front, all males form a row or a multiple rows behind him, and all females form a row, or a multiple rows behind the males.
When the congregation consists of two males and a female, the male Ma’moum stands beside (on the right of) the Imam, and the female Ma’moum stands behind them, alone. More than two women–praying with with one male–stand behind the male, who has to be the Imam, whether or not there are more males with him.
A congregation of all females forms its row or rows with their (female) Imam standing in the first row, without moving forward, ahead of the rest, as it is the case with a male Imam.
It's important to note, that unless where there's a single female in the congregation, no Ma'moum stands alone, in a congregation, lest his Solat is void.
The Prophet, salla Allahu ‘alaihi wasallam, said in a Hadeeth authenticated by Imam(s) Ahmad and Ibnu Majah, that:
لا صَلاةَ لِمُنْفَرِدٍ خَلْفَ الصَّفِّ
“There is no prayer, for the one who singles himself out, behind the row.”
Starting Point of a Row in Solat
The best rows (of men) are those closer to the Imam. The closer it is to the Imam the better. This is according to the Hadeeth narrated by Sayyidina Abi Hurairah, radhiya Allahu ‘anhu, and authenticated by Imam(s) Al-Bukhari and Muslim, that the Prophet Muhammad, salla Allahu ‘alaihi wasallam, said:
لَوْ يَعْلَمُ النَّاسُ مَا فِي النِّدَاءِ وَالصَّفِّ الأَوَّلِ ثُمَّ لَمْ يَجِدُوا إِلاَّ أَنْ يَسْتَهِمُّوا عَلَيْهِ لاَسْتَهَمُّوا
“If people know what is there in Azan and the first row, and they couldn't reach it except through balloting, they would have balloted.”
When forming a new row, it has to be formed starting from the immediate point behind the Imam. Expansion of the row has to be n the way that puts the Imam in the middle. Therefore, we should straighten our rows, following the person in the middle of the row (behind the Imam).
The right side of a row is better than its left side. But the left side of any front row is better than the right side of any back row.
Also, before we start a new row, we should ensure the existing ones are fully occupied. This is because the Prophet, salla Allahu ‘alaihi wasallam, has forbidden us from leaving gaps in the rows, as that will create room for Satan to play among us, whilst we are praying.
The Prophet, salla Allahu ‘alaihi wasallam, said in a Hadeeth narrated by Sayyidina Anas Ibn Malik, and reported by Imam(s) Ahmad and Abu Dawud:
أَتِمُّوا الصَّفَّ الأَوَّلَ ثُمَّ الَّذِي يَلِيهِ، فَإِنْ كَانَ نَقْصٌ فَلْيَكُنْ فِي الصَّفِّ المُؤَخَّرِ
“Complete the first row, then the next one, and if there is to be any incomplete row let it be the last row.”
Straightening the Rows of Solat
My understanding for forming rows for Solat had always been that rows are to be straightened at the toes levels, of the congregation. Unfortunately, that was a misconception. We, based on my previous misunderstanding, stand toe-to-toe, in the way that all feet are aligned from the toes level, and straight.
I have learnt that rows are straightened by aligning ankles; inline with each other. This is because the objective of straightening our rows is to ensure shoulders are next to each other, not toes are next to each other. In order for a row to be shoulder-to-shoulder, ankles must be next to each other, regardless, whether or not, toes are aligned together.
In every congregation, feet of the individuals vary in size and length. Therefore, when we stand according to the alignment of our ankles, our shoulders will align together, regardless of our heights and sizes. However, when we stand according to the alignments of our toes, our shoulders will differ in its alignment.
The Prophet, salla Allahu ‘alaihi wasallam, justified this, when he said in another Hadeeth, narrated by Sayyidina Abdullah Ibn Umar, radhiya Allahu ‘anhuma, and reported by Imam(s) Ahmad and Abu Dawud:
حَاذُوا بَيْنَ المَنَاكِبِ، وَسُدُّوا الخَلَلَ، وَلا تَذَرُوا فُرُجَاتٍ لِلشَّيْطَانِ
“Keep your shoulders in line with one another, and fill the gaps, and do not leave any room for the Satan.”
The Responsibility of Straightening the Rows
The responsibility of straightening the rows in Solat lies on the Imam and Ma’moum alike. The Imam has to give a constant and gentle reminder, and the Ma’moum has to cooperate. We have to complete one another, righteously. This is in accordance to what the Prophet, salla Allahu ‘alaihi wasallam, and his companions demonstrated.
The Hadeeth which Sayyiduna Abu Mas'oud, radhiya Allahu ‘anhu, narrated, above, and which was reported by Imam Muslim, serves as an evidence for that. He said:
كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَمْسَحُ مَنَاكِبَنَا فِي الصَّلاةِ وَيَقُولُ: (اسْتَوُوا، وَلا تَخْتَلِفُوا فَتَخْتَلِفَ قُلُوبُكُمْ
“The Messenger of Allah, salla Allahu ‘alaihi wasallam, used to touch our shoulders when we were praying and he would say: “Straighten the rows and do not differ, lest your hearts differ.”
Sayyiduna Al-Nu'maan Ibn Basheer, radhiya Allahu ‘anhuma, narrated a Hadeeth, which was reported by Imam(s) Al-Bukhari and Muslim, that:
كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يُسَوِّي صُفُوفَنَا حَتَّى كَأَنَّمَا يُسَوِّي بِهَا الْقِدَاحَ، حَتَّى رَأَى أَنَّا قَدْ عَقَلْنَا عَنْهُ ثُمَّ خَرَجَ يَوْمًا فَقَامَ حَتَّى كَادَ يُكَبِّرُ، فَرَأَى رَجُلا بَادِيًا صَدْرُهُ مِنَ الصَّفِّ، فَقَالَ: عِبَادَ اللَّهِ، لَتُسَوُّنَّ صُفُوفَكُمْ أَوْ لَيُخَالِفَنَّ اللَّهُ بَيْنَ وُجُوهِكُمْ
“The Messenger of Allah, salla Allahu ‘alaihi wasallam, used to straighten our rows, as if he was straightening the shaft of an arrow, until he saw that we had learned it. Then he came out one day and was about to say the takbeer, when he noticed a man whose chest was sticking out from the row. He said: “O Slaves of Allah! Straighten your rows or Allah will cause discord among you.”
Closing the Gaps in the Rows
An important thing in forming the rows of Solat is closing the gaps in the rows. It's unfortunate to see that many fellow Muslims take the offence when they are invited to close the gaps.
The Prophet, salla Allahu ‘alaihi wasallam, emphasized on this, when he said in the Hadeeth narrated by Sayyidina Abdullah Ibn Umar, radhiya Allahu ‘anhuma, and reported by Imam(s) Ahmad and Abu Dawud:
أَقِيمُوا الصُّفُوفَ؛ فَإِنَّمَا تَصُفُّونَ كَصُفُوفِ المَلائِكَةِ، حَاذُوا بَيْنَ المَنَاكِبِ، وَسُدُّوا الخَلَلَ، وَلا تَذَرُوا فُرُجَاتٍ لِلشَّيْطَانِ، وَمَنْ وَصَلَ صَفًّا وَصَلَهُ اللَّهُ، وَمَنْ قَطَعَ صَفًّا قَطَعَهُ اللَّهُ
“Straighten the rows, for you form rows like the rows of the angels, keep your shoulders in line with one another, fill the gaps, and do not leave any room for the Satan. Whoever joins a row to complete it, Allah will take care of him and whoever interrupts a row, Allah will cut him off.”
It is observed, that some people, perhaps, have misunderstood closing the gaps between rows due to their overzealousness. They choose to open their legs wide; I mean wider the size of their own bodies, thinking they are closing the gaps. When they rise for a second Raka'ah, the width they created between their own legs reduces, and that creates bigger gaps among the people in the rows. By doing so also, they create a lot of inconvenience to others.
Yes, the Prophet, salla Allahu ‘alaihi wasallam, commanded us to straighten our rows, close the gaps by standing close to each other, without causing inconvenience to one another, but he did not ask us to widen our legs wider than our own sizes. What is required is that we stand close to each other.
Another misunderstanding in closing gaps is when some of us choose to press hard on the feet of those beside them, in the name of closing the gaps. There is no need to do it with aggression.
If you stand as you will moderately stand, with your foot attached to the foot of the persons on your both sides, the likelihood is that the shoulders of three of you will be attached. A rise for a second Raka'ah will still see those ankles and shoulders attached. Try it.
Children's Row
It's common in some mosques, that children are asked to stand behind, away from front rows, or they are given special rows to play, rather pray.
Children should stand not immediately behind the Imam. In other words, the immediate three people to stand behind the Imam have to be more knowledgeable about Solat, so that if he needs a replacement, during the Solat, a suitable person will be in place.
Other than that, children who know how to pray, and have the interest in praying have the right to be in front rows. This will help instill the habit of Solat, punctuality and discipline in them, insha Allah.
I can comfortably say, that children who are put in a separate row play, rather than pray. They also cause noise in the mosques. The solution? Every two adults can put one child between them, and I promise he (the child) will pray. He will not play.
The Wheelchair-Bounded in the Rows
Wheelchair-bounded individuals are equal with physically able individuals. The priority of a spot in the mosque or a row is for the one who comes first. It is not based on physical ability. However, if the wheelchair or a normal chair may cause big separation in the row, it can be stationed at the far ends of the row, where the person wants to pray. It does not necessarily have to be stationed behind everyone, in the mosque.
A congregation in the mosque is to welcome every one, and make them feel home, and united with all. It's not meant to break the hearts of each other.
Conclusion
Mastering the art of straightening our rows in Solat is part of perfecting the Solat itself. In addition to that, it is also one of the angles we follow the noble Sunnah of the Prophet, salla Allahu ‘alaihi wasallam. In following the Sunnah of the Prophet closely, we secure the Pleasure of Allah, and get our sins forgiven, insha Allah.
In Surah Aali Imran, 3:31, Allah, subhanahu wa ta'aalaa, declares that, we are able to attain His Love only when we follow the Prophet, salla Allahu ‘alaihi wasallam:
قُلْ إِن كُنتُمْ تُحِبُّونَ اللَّـهَ فَاتَّبِعُونِي يُحْبِبْكُمُ اللَّـهُ وَيَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ ذُنُوبَكُمْ، وَاللَّـهُ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ * قُلْ أَطِيعُوا اللَّـهَ وَالرَّسُولَ، فَإِن تَوَلَّوْا فَإِنَّ اللَّـهَ لَا يُحِبُّ الْكَافِرِينَ
“Say [O Muhammad], “If you love Allah, then, follow me, and Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. Allah is most Forgiving, and most Merciful.” Say [O Muhammad], “Obey Allah and the Messenger.” But if they turn away, then indeed, Allah does not like the disbelievers.”
Straightening rows for Solat and closing the gaps between them does not mean in any circumstance, that one causes harm to fellow congregators in the process of doing so. We can straighten our rows and close the gaps between them nicely, and pray in full of calmness without breaking others' feelings.
Let our unity during our prayers reflect on our interactions and our love for each other, outside the mosque. Anytime we fail to see that, we should review our rows in Solat, and how we straighten them, and how much gaps we leave in them.
I would love to hear from you. I welcome your inputs and comments.
Allah knows best.
Allahu Hafiz 🙂
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