Q&A: Who is Responsible for Arranging the Saff in Prayers?

Question

It's regarding the saf sometimes, I do go to the masjid for terawih it's hard for me to concentrate in my prayer.. the gaps in the saf in front of me.. they are disturbing me.. it is not possible for me to check all the safs.. and usually, I hesitate to advise or correct the elderly.. sometimes, I shut my eyes when I'm praying, all these cases, I'm referring to congregational prayers

Answer

No doubt, straightening the Saff in Solat is one of the things required for the perfection of the Solat to take place. This is if it's done in a congregation.

However, one doesn't have to be disturbed by the gaps in the Saff (rows). That's part of the Imam's responsibility.

If you get the chance to remind the congregation, that will be good, but how many can you correct while there are many, and while prayers is ongoing?

When you try to remind someone and he refuses to listen to you (or accept your advice), it will be wise to take it easy. The quality of your Solat is your responsibility, and everyone else is responsible for the quality of their Solat.

This being said, you can still correct others in a different way. You can do so by making sure you close the gap between you and the one next to you, closer to the Imam. This means; if the Imam is on your left, you close the gap between you and the one on your left. If the Imam is on your right, you close the gap between you and the one on your right. And then, you can gently ask the one on your other side (left or right accordingly) to close the gap between him and you.

The only one, who is responsible in reminding everyone in the Masjid, to close the gaps, is the Imam. The Imam is expected to remind and tell the Jama'ah (congregation), following the Prophet's way.

The Prophet, salla Allahu ‘alaihi wasallam, used to instruct the companions, behind him, to straighten their rows, by saying what was narrated by Sayyidina Anas, radhiya Allah ‘anhu, and reported by Imam Al-Bukhari:

سَوُّوا صُفُوفَكُمْ؛ فَإِنَّ تَسْوِيَةَ الصَّفِّ مِنْ تَمَامِ الصَّلَاةِ

It means, “Straighten your row(s), for straightening the rows perfects the prayer.”

I understand that you are disturbed when you see gaps in the Saff. In order to avoid what disturbs you during the prayers, make it a point to always stand in the first row. In that case, you won't see those behind you.

There are two things we can do to get first row always:

1. Come to the mosque early.
2. Sit in the first row, before prayer begins.

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Allah knows best