Rows of Salat

Irbadh ibn Sariyah Radiyallahu `anhu narrates that Rasullullah SallaIlahu `alaihi wasallam used to pray for forgiveness three times for the first row and once for the second row. (Ibn Majah) Abu Umama Radiyallahu `anhu narrates that Rasullullah Sallallahu `alaihi wasallam said: Allah sends Mercy and His angels invoke blessings upon the first row. Those present said: O Rasullullah! And upon the second? He replied: Allah sends Mercy and His angels invoke blessings upon the first row. (Again) they asked: And upon the second? He replied: And also upon the second. And Rasullullah Sallallahu `alaihi wasallam further said: Straighten your rows, align your shoulders, be gentle to your brothers, and close the gaps. For verily Shaitan enters in the gap between you, like a baby lamb. (Musnad Ahmad, Tabarani, Majma'uz-Zawaid) Note: To be gentle to your brothers means if someone asks you to straighten your row, by keeping his hand on you, concede to his request. Abu Hurairah narrates that Rasullullah SallaIlahu `alaihi wasallam said: The first row of Salat amongst the men is most rewarding and the last is the least; whereas the last rows of Salat amongst the women are the most rewarding and the first the least. (Muslim) Bara ibn `Azib Radiyallahu 'anhuma narrates that Rasullullah Sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam used to pass through the rows from one end to the other; setting our chests and shoulders in line and saying: Do not be out of line otherwise your hearts will differ. He used to add: Verily Allah 'Azza wa Jall sends Mercy for the first row and His angels ask for their forgiveness. (Abu Dawud) Bara ibn `Azib Radiyallahu `anhuma narrates that Rasulullah Sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam said: Verily Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala sends Mercy and His angels invoke blessings for the people who are nearer to the front rows; and there is no step more beloved to Allah than one taken to complete a Row. (Abu Dawud)

A'ishah Radiyallahu 'anha narrates that when Rasulullah Sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam said: Verily Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala sends Mercy and His angels invoke blessings for those who are on the right hand side of rows. (Abu Dawud) A'ishah Radiyallahu `anha narrates that Rasulullah Sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam said: Verily Allah sends Mercy and His angels invoke blessings for those who fill in the gaps to complete the rows. (Mustadrak Hakim) Abu Hurairah Radiyallahu 'anhu narrates that Rasulullah Sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam said: Whoever joins a row (of Salat), Allah raises him one rank; and the angels shower (Allah's) blessings upon him. (Tabarani, Targhib) Abdullah Radiyallahu 'anhuma narrates that Rasullullah Sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam said: The best of you are those whose shoulders are more soft in Salat. And there is no step more rewarding than the step which is taken to fill the gap in the row (of Salat). (Bazaar, Targhib, Ibne-klibhan, Tabarani) Note: The meaning of keeping the shoulders soft in Salat is that when somebody tries to enter the row, the persons offering Salat on the right and left should relax their shoulders to let him join the row. Abu Juhaifah Radiyallahu 'anhu narrates that Nabi Sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam said: He who fills the gap in a row (of Salat) is forgiven. (Bazaar. Majma'uzZawaid) Abdullah Ibn 'Umar Radiyallahu 'anhuma narrates that Rasullullah Sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam said: He who joins the row (of Salat) Allah will join him with His Mercy; and whoever breaks the row (of Salat) Allah will cut him away from His Mercy. (Abu Dawud) Note: Breaking the row means either placing something (personal belongings) in the row, which would break the continuity of the row; or seeing a vacant space and yet not occupying it. (Mirqat-ul-Mafatih) Anas Radiyallahu 'anhu narrates that Nabi Sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam said: Straighten your Rows, for straightening of the rows in Salat is essential for the offering of Salat correctly. (Bukhari)