The Ruling on White Lines in Mosque Carpets

Question : The white lines on mosque carpets now. Were they known in the time of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) and his Companions?

Answer : The answer is no, but now that mosques are carpeted, they have a great benefit in straightening the rows. No one can say this is a bid'ah (religious innovation), because the intention behind placing them is not to worship Allah (Mighty and Majestic) by their placement. Rather, the intention is to achieve a Shari'ah objective, which is straightening the rows. It is well known that the Messenger's (peace and blessings be upon him) mosque was covered with pebbles, and it was not possible to establish rows in it. It is also well known that the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) were more diligent in applying the Sunnah in straightening the rows than people are in this time.
So these lines became a means to a Shari'ah objective, and they were not intended for worship, but rather for establishing the rows. Someone might say, "Is this not imitating the Christians in the religion of Allah? Did not Allah burden us with placing lines to establish the rows?" We say: This is not imitating them. The Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) would straighten the rows until one person's heel touched his brother's heel. This indicates that it is obligatory to be completely careful in establishing and straightening the rows, and these lines achieve that objective.