Is the middle of the row better, or the right side? In the upper floor—meaning the women’s prayer area—the right side of the row is very full, while there are no women on the left side.
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The questioner : You say: “Shaykh, a matter in which there was a dispute this evening regarding the middle of the row: is the middle of the row better, or the right side? In the upper floor, meaning the women’s prayer area, the right side of the row is very full, while there are no women on the left side. I ask for clarification of the ruling?”
The Shaykh : This is a mistake: to complete the right row while the left row has nothing in it. The right side is better when there is equality or closeness. However, if the right side is far away, then the left side closer to the imam is better. Therefore, we say that it should be the case that the right and left are equal or close to each other, for two benefits: the first benefit is closeness to the imam, and the second benefit is that the imam is in the middle of them. I do not think anyone would imagine that the Companions would have a man standing behind the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), then complete the entire right side, and then start with the left side. I do not think this would happen with the Companions. Therefore, many scholars mentioned this, including Ibn Muflih in his book *al-Furu*: that their statement that the right side is better means with closeness or equality. Otherwise, the left side that is close is better than the right side that is far, whether for men or for women.
Yes.
The Shaykh : This is a mistake: to complete the right row while the left row has nothing in it. The right side is better when there is equality or closeness. However, if the right side is far away, then the left side closer to the imam is better. Therefore, we say that it should be the case that the right and left are equal or close to each other, for two benefits: the first benefit is closeness to the imam, and the second benefit is that the imam is in the middle of them. I do not think anyone would imagine that the Companions would have a man standing behind the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), then complete the entire right side, and then start with the left side. I do not think this would happen with the Companions. Therefore, many scholars mentioned this, including Ibn Muflih in his book *al-Furu*: that their statement that the right side is better means with closeness or equality. Otherwise, the left side that is close is better than the right side that is far, whether for men or for women.
Yes.