If a person enters and finds the row complete, does he pray behind the row alone?

The questioner : Peace be upon you.

The Shaykh : Peace be upon you.

The questioner : Shaykh Muhammad, may Allah keep you safe, how are you?

The Shaykh : Yes, and all praise is due to Allah.

The questioner : May Allah keep you safe and bless you. I have two questions, may Allah keep you safe. Please, the first question is regarding the one who prays alone: if he enters the mosque and finds the rows complete, what does he do? Does he pray alone, or what does he do?

The Shaykh : If a person enters and finds the row complete, he prays behind the row alone, following the imam.

The questioner : Yes, praise be to Allah. May Allah reward you with good. And how do we understand the hadith?

The Shaykh : Which hadith?

The questioner : Regarding the prayer of the one who prays alone.

The Shaykh : If it is without an excuse.

The questioner : If there is no gap.

The Shaykh : If he has a place in the front rows.

The questioner : Yes, indeed. May Allah reward you with good.