The Ruling on Giving Preference in Acts of Worship
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The topic of giving preference in acts of worship, for example, giving a scholar or a parent the first row. If we are in the first row, for instance, and we find the father or the scholar in the second row, and we want to move him to the first row, for example, is this prescribed, or is it disliked, or does it fall within the bounds of permissibility? May Allah reward you with good.
Giving preference in acts of worship is of two types: The first type: obligatory acts of worship. It is not permissible to give preference in these. An example is a man who has water sufficient for only one person’s ablution, and he is not in a state of ritual purity, and his companion with him is also not in a state of ritual purity. In this case, it is not permissible for him to give his companion this water, because he would have left an obligation upon him, which is purification with water. Therefore, giving preference in an obligatory act is forbidden. As for giving preference in a recommended act, the original ruling is that it should not be done; indeed, some scholars have explicitly stated that it is disliked.And they said: Giving preference in an act of worship implies that one is disinclined toward that act of worship. However, the correct view is that it is better not to give preference. If, however, the public interest requires giving preference, there is no harm in it. For example, if his father is in the second row and he is in the first row, and he knows that his father is one of those men who would be upset in their hearts if their son did not give them precedence.So here we say: It is better that you give your father precedence. However, if he is one of the good fathers who do not care about such matters, it is better that he remains in his place, even if his father is in the second row. The same applies regarding the scholar.
And all praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, and upon his family and his Companions, and those who follow them with excellence until the Day of Judgment.
Giving preference in acts of worship is of two types: The first type: obligatory acts of worship. It is not permissible to give preference in these. An example is a man who has water sufficient for only one person’s ablution, and he is not in a state of ritual purity, and his companion with him is also not in a state of ritual purity. In this case, it is not permissible for him to give his companion this water, because he would have left an obligation upon him, which is purification with water. Therefore, giving preference in an obligatory act is forbidden. As for giving preference in a recommended act, the original ruling is that it should not be done; indeed, some scholars have explicitly stated that it is disliked.And they said: Giving preference in an act of worship implies that one is disinclined toward that act of worship. However, the correct view is that it is better not to give preference. If, however, the public interest requires giving preference, there is no harm in it. For example, if his father is in the second row and he is in the first row, and he knows that his father is one of those men who would be upset in their hearts if their son did not give them precedence.So here we say: It is better that you give your father precedence. However, if he is one of the good fathers who do not care about such matters, it is better that he remains in his place, even if his father is in the second row. The same applies regarding the scholar.
And all praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, and upon his family and his Companions, and those who follow them with excellence until the Day of Judgment.