The Imam's Saying: "Stand in Order and Be Even"
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Fatwa No. ( 14111 )
Q: Some imams, when the prayer is about to begin, stand in the mihrab and then say: ("Stand in order, be even, and pray the prayer of one who is bidding farewell. Be present with your hearts in your prayer, and be humble in your prayer, for a servant has nothing from his prayer except what he understands of it"). The result is that he frequently says this, and may add to or subtract from what I mentioned. Is lengthening and frequent reminding at this point prescribed or not? We hope that after reviewing this, you will issue a ruling on what has been mentioned and elaborate on the evidence. May Allah guide you and assist you, and peace be upon you.
A : First: The imam's saying, "Stand in order and be even," is prescribed; for it is established that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said:Sunan Abi Dawud 668Sahih (Al-Albani) , and in (Sunan Abu Dawud ) it is narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), when he stood for prayer, would take hold of his right side, then turn and say: ( Sahih Ibn Hibban 10:455 , and in a narration: Sunan Abi Dawud 671Sahih (Al-Albani) , and in a narration by Muslim : Sahih Muslim 435 , and in a narration by Abu Dawud : Mishkat al-Masabih 1102 . Second: As for the imam's preaching before the takbir for prayer by saying: ("Pray the prayer
of one who is bidding farewell, be present with your hearts in your prayer, be humble in your prayer"), and the like, this is not prescribed; rather, it is from religious innovations. And success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
Q: Some imams, when the prayer is about to begin, stand in the mihrab and then say: ("Stand in order, be even, and pray the prayer of one who is bidding farewell. Be present with your hearts in your prayer, and be humble in your prayer, for a servant has nothing from his prayer except what he understands of it"). The result is that he frequently says this, and may add to or subtract from what I mentioned. Is lengthening and frequent reminding at this point prescribed or not? We hope that after reviewing this, you will issue a ruling on what has been mentioned and elaborate on the evidence. May Allah guide you and assist you, and peace be upon you.
A : First: The imam's saying, "Stand in order and be even," is prescribed; for it is established that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
Straighten your rows for the straightening of the rows is part of perfecting the prayer.
سووا صفوفكم فإن تسوية الصف من تمام الصلاةBe even and straighten your rows), then he would take hold of his left side and say: Be even and straighten your rows
اعتدلوا سووا صفوفكم )، ثم أخذ بيساره وقال: اعتدلوا سووا صفوفكمComplete the front row, then the one that comes next, and if there is any incompleteness, let it be in the last row.
أتموا الصف المقدم ثم الذي يليه فما كان من نقص فليكن في الصف المؤخرEstablish rows in prayer, for the making of a row (straight) is one of the merits of prayer.
أقيموا الصف فإن إقامة الصف من حسن الصلاةSet the rows in order, stand shoulder to shoulder, close the gaps, be pliant in the hands of your brethren, and do not leave openings for the devil. If anyone joins up a row God will join him up, but if anyone breaks a row God will cut him off.
أتموا الصفوف وحاذوا بين المناكب وسدوا الخلل، ولينوا بأيدي إخوانكم، ولا تذروا فرجات للشيطان، ومن وصل صفًّا وصله الله ومن قطعه قطعه اللهof one who is bidding farewell, be present with your hearts in your prayer, be humble in your prayer"), and the like, this is not prescribed; rather, it is from religious innovations. And success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
Source
www.alifta.gov.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.