Ruling on Reserving Spaces in Mosques
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What is the ruling on reserving spaces in mosques, where some people set aside a place for themselves and then sit in the back until the imam arrives, after which they move forward? People object to this reserved space, yet the person does not benefit from it until the iqamah is called. You are aware of the words of Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah on this matter, and the hadiths suggest that the Companions did not do this. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said regarding the first row: (They would have drawn lots for it even if they had found no other way) And the hadith of Anas in Sahih al-Bukhari, in which he said: (Even when the prayer was finished, they would rush to the pillars) or something similar. Please give us a ruling, may you be rewarded, may Allah reward you with good?
Reserving spaces in mosques: some scholars hold that it is permissible in all cases, whether the person is in the mosque or outside it. This is the well-known view among the Hanbalis in their fiqh books, that it is permissible for a person to reserve a space and enter it when he arrives. However, the correct view is that this is forbidden, and that it is not permissible to reserve a space; because it prevents others from what they have a greater right to than he does; and because it leads to him also being late in his attendance, for if he is assured that his place is in the first row, he becomes negligent and does not come until late; and because it sometimes results in him harming the worshippers by stepping over their shoulders if the mosque does not have an entrance from the front. This is what we see in this issue.
As for if a person is in the mosque and places something to reserve a space while he is in the mosque, there is nothing wrong with this, provided that it does not necessitate stepping over people’s shoulders. Accordingly, if you reserve a space in the first row, and then the second row reaches your space and aligns with it, it is obligatory for you to move forward so that you do not step over people’s shoulders, unless the mosque has an entrance from the front through which you can enter. The correct view in this issue is to distinguish between cases.And it is: If a person is in the mosque, there is no blame on him; because he has already moved forward. However, some people may stand up because they find that being farther from the people is more reverent for them in their prayer, or perhaps they are among those who recite aloud and do not like to remain in the first row so as not to disturb the people, or they wish to have a study session for one of the lessons that requires them to be away from the front row, or other such purposes. If the iqamah is called, he moves forward to his place.
Reserving spaces in mosques: some scholars hold that it is permissible in all cases, whether the person is in the mosque or outside it. This is the well-known view among the Hanbalis in their fiqh books, that it is permissible for a person to reserve a space and enter it when he arrives. However, the correct view is that this is forbidden, and that it is not permissible to reserve a space; because it prevents others from what they have a greater right to than he does; and because it leads to him also being late in his attendance, for if he is assured that his place is in the first row, he becomes negligent and does not come until late; and because it sometimes results in him harming the worshippers by stepping over their shoulders if the mosque does not have an entrance from the front. This is what we see in this issue.
As for if a person is in the mosque and places something to reserve a space while he is in the mosque, there is nothing wrong with this, provided that it does not necessitate stepping over people’s shoulders. Accordingly, if you reserve a space in the first row, and then the second row reaches your space and aligns with it, it is obligatory for you to move forward so that you do not step over people’s shoulders, unless the mosque has an entrance from the front through which you can enter. The correct view in this issue is to distinguish between cases.And it is: If a person is in the mosque, there is no blame on him; because he has already moved forward. However, some people may stand up because they find that being farther from the people is more reverent for them in their prayer, or perhaps they are among those who recite aloud and do not like to remain in the first row so as not to disturb the people, or they wish to have a study session for one of the lessons that requires them to be away from the front row, or other such purposes. If the iqamah is called, he moves forward to his place.