If there are pillars in the first row, or if the minbar cuts it in half, should I pray in it?
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The questioner : There is no great virtue mentioned for praying in the first row. So, if there are pillars or a minbar in the first row... in the middle, do I pray in it or not?
The Shaykh : There is a difference between the pillars and the first row cut by the minbar. The first row cut by the minbar is the one behind the imam; that is the first row. As for the place to the right of the minbar, that is not it; rather, it forms a second row behind the imam, and so on, until you reach the row that connects from the right wall to the left wall. Is that clear to you?
The questioner: Yes.
The Shaykh : As for the broken row between the pillars, one does not form a row in it; rather, one moves back from it. Is that clear?
The Shaykh : There is a difference between the pillars and the first row cut by the minbar. The first row cut by the minbar is the one behind the imam; that is the first row. As for the place to the right of the minbar, that is not it; rather, it forms a second row behind the imam, and so on, until you reach the row that connects from the right wall to the left wall. Is that clear to you?
The questioner: Yes.
The Shaykh : As for the broken row between the pillars, one does not form a row in it; rather, one moves back from it. Is that clear?
Source
www.al-albany.com
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.