Are the lines for straightening the rows in prayer a recommended practice?

Question : Regarding the principle we mentioned: if the cause for a matter existed in the time of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and he did not do it, then it is not a recommended practice. Some scholars said that lines in prayer are not a recommended practice. They said that the cause for them, which is straightening the rows, existed, but he did not do it in prayer.

Answer : No, we say this is the case for two reasons. First, it did not exist in the time of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him), because the ground in his time was covered with pebbles, and it is not possible for there to be lines in pebbles. If it is said that threads could be placed there, we say that the cause for people tripping over them exists, and it would not be straight, causing harm. This is one reason. The second reason is that this is not the goal; it is a means to straighten the rows. And we know, and knowledge belongs to Allah the Exalted, that this does not change anything. The intended legal objective is achieved, which is straightening the rows.