Keeping Our Prayer Rows Ordered

Allah, the Exalted, desires unity among Muslims. He wishes for them to stand as one, to be tightly bound to one another – be it in peace or battle, in every aspect of life. Notably, the congregational prayers serve as the profound medium that fosters this unity, guiding Muslims towards collective discipline. Yet, this unity can only truly manifest when prayers are offered in congregation, with an understanding of how to form the rows properly.

Revered by the Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) as the “pillar of religion,” salah undoubtedly stands as a cornerstone in a Muslim's life. Every believer, to the best of their ability, attends the mosque, aligning shoulder to shoulder with fellow believers to offer their prayers. This act epitomizes the unity and harmony fostered among the believers.

However, in contemporary times, aside from the negligence in attending congregational prayers, there’s a noticeable disorder in the formation of prayer rows. This scattered formation during prayers mirrors the lapses in our consciousness of keeping a good form when attending mosques and praying in congregation. Many manifestations of this oversight exist. For instance, attempts to fill gaps in the front rows for a tighter formation are sometimes met with disapproval. Some even remark, “Is there no space left in this vast mosque that you are trying to squeeze in here?” Yet, maintaining order in the prayer rows is a crucial matter emphasized by the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) himself.

The Noble Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) would straighten the rows before initiating the salah. He'd offer reminders, then lead the salah. As these reminders were witnessed by large congregations, they carried immense significance and spread rapidly. There are many hadiths in our traditional sources which address this matter. In one such hadith, Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) remarked: “Stand close together in your rows, keep nearer to one another, and put your necks in line, for by Him in Whose Hands my soul is, I see the Satan entering through the opening in the row like Al- hadhaf (i.e., a type of small black sheep found in Yemen).” (Abu Dawud, Salat, 93).

On multiple occasions, he warned us that shaytans pass through gaps and inconsistencies in rows. Another narration from Abdullah, son of Caliph Umar (radiyallahu anhuma), reads: “Align your rows, make your shoulders even, and do not leave gaps for the devil.”

Bonding in Affection

The aforementioned narration also implies the necessity of assisting fellow believers in tightening the rows during prayers. There's a pressing need for heightened sensitivity in this regard today. Distractions and waswasas during prayer, resulting in a lack of concentration and loss of khushu, is a common grievance. Narrations indicate that this disruption is influenced by the deceitful shaytans who roam between the gaps in the rows.

The formation of rows also affects the emotions and bonding among believers. During the Age of Bliss, an incident occurred where a man's chest protruded slightly from the row. Observing this, the Prophet remarked, “O servants of Allah, you must straighten your rows or Allah would create dissension amongst you.” (Bukhari, Adhan, 71). The beauty and spiritual elation of praying in well-ordered rows is palpable to many. At least once, on an eid morning or during Friday prayers, we've felt the shared warmth of standing shoulder to shoulder, prostrating ourselves and praying together, irrespective of our worldly ranks and stations, turning in unison to our Creator. Such moments of unity and shared spiritual fervor are more vital for us, the Muslims of the modern era.

It’s noteworthy to mention the diligence of the awliya in maintaining orderly rows during salah and forming an unbreakable bond between their followers by achieving physical cohesion in a naturally unifying act of worship. Their dedication to establishing a unified front in the rows of Muslims standing together for salah is so unremitting that they have assigned some of their followers to see that the perfect form is attained among the congregation and within the rows. They not only ensure disciplined rows during prayers but also during gatherings of sohbah and dhikr (remembrance of Allah). For centuries, the awliya have been renowned for their deep love for Allah and their ability to pray with profound reverence. By reviving this often-neglected sunnah, they've reaped its blessings even in this world.

The Virtue of Praying in the Front Row

In the ranks established for prayers, the first row holds a distinguished place of honor. To bypass it without filling it and moving to the rows behind is akin to turning away from a major blessing. The illustrious Companions, who themselves were stars of guidance, fervently competed with one another to be part of this front row. Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) once declared, "If people knew the reward for pronouncing the Adhan and for standing in the first row and found no other way to earn that except by drawing lots, they would draw lots" (Bukhari, Adhan, 9). He continually encouraged believers to position themselves in the foremost rows during prayers. Likening the first row to the row of angels, he informed us that celestial beings beseech forgiveness for those in the front row.

While the virtue of the first row is undeniable, those with limited religious knowledge shouldn’t stand directly behind or very close to the Imam. After all, there are certain responsibilities for those in such positions. An Imam, being human, could mistakenly miscount the units of prayer, err in recitation, or have his wudu (ablution) invalidated. In such instances, it is paramount to have individuals with sound knowledge of religious rulings and proficient recitation close by, ready to correct or continue the prayer.

A common misconception that prevails is the belief that only the elderly should stand directly behind the Imam. This is a baseless notion. Knowledgeable young individuals can also take their position in the front row, right behind the Imam. During the Age of Bliss, one would often find learned youths, including those from the Ashab al-Suffa, in the front ranks.

Today, whether in a large or small congregation, many believers seem hesitant to fill the front rows. Forming a habit of standing farther back while front spaces remain unoccupied isn't the right approach. The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) once observed such behavior and admonished: "Move forward and follow me, and let those behind you follow your lead. If people continue to fall back, Allah will put them back." (Muslim, Salat, 130). This is a significant cautionary note that every believer should heed.

Many of us have observed mosque carpets with prayer mat motifs intended to ensure orderly prayer rows. However, these motifs and lines shouldn't be perceived as strict measures. Numerous such carpets, in reality, fail to achieve the shoulder-to-shoulder proximity and orderliness prescribed by the hadiths.

The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) attached such importance to the order of prayer rows that he continuously offered guidance and corrections until the Companions had fully internalized the discipline. Today, it is incumbent upon all – especially religious leaders – to reflect on the wisdom of maintaining close and orderly rows, ensuring the proper practice. To attain a deeper connection and love in our prayers and to bridge the distances that isolate our hearts from one another, we must seize this opportunity to honor yet another sunnah of Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam). May standing in rows in the presence of Allah as instructed by the Messenger (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) pave the way to our unity and cohesion.

ORGANIZATION OF PRAYER ROWS

When Muslims gather to offer their prayers, it is essential to observe the following guidelines when forming rows:

• The Imam takes the foremost position, leading the congregation from the center. Directly behind and close to him should be those with sound religious knowledge.

• Congregants should begin to fill the mosque from the frontmost rows. One should not stand in the back rows while there's still space in the front.

• If both the right and left ends of the front row are vacant, preference should be given to the right side.

• Those standing in the same row should ensure their feet, chests, and necks are aligned uniformly.

• If a gap emerges in a front row, it should be filled immediately. If one is called to join a front row, he should promptly move. However, one must avoid inconveniencing others when doing so.

• Boys who have not reached the age of puberty should stand in the row behind the adult males. If there are women present, they should form their rows behind a partition or curtain and behind the boys.

• For men, the most virtuous row is the front row, while for women, it's the back.

• When the Imam rises for the obligatory prayer, he may provide guidance to ensure the correct formation of rows, saying: "I’tadilu sawwu sufufakum" (Stand straight, correct your rows) or "Istawu wa ittasilu, rahimana wa rahimakumullah" (Stand in line and close together. May Allah have mercy on us and you).

Selim Uğur