Discussion on the virtue of filling a gap in the prayer row.

The Shaykh : ... They say that in our region, in the Levant, in some hadiths, it is stated that the steps most beloved to Allah (Mighty and Majestic) are the steps a Muslim takes to fill a gap in the row. Filling the gap is an obligatory matter, and therefore the step a worshipper takes to fill a gap is made one of the steps most beloved to Allah. So, when an incident like the one you described to us occurs, where the sutrah (barrier) has fallen or disappeared for some reason, you should try to find a substitute, because the sutrah is obligatory. However, we have qualified this by saying that the substitute must not be obtained in a manner similar to the one who builds a palace and demolishes a fortress. No, it must be the opposite: he demolishes a palace in order to build a fortress, not the other way around. So, he is here in the process of repairing the prayer... If he exposes it to invalidity by taking steps such that anyone seeing him would think he is not a worshipper! Then his prayer would be invalid, for example. But if he took a step to the right, left, or forward, and then, with your kindness and gentleness, you also took a second step—even if someone next to you is strict and says, "What are you doing? You are moving during the prayer! Your prayer is invalid!"—and you cover up the matter a bit, there is no harm in that, because this is an urgent matter to address this urgent situation. It is not comparable to a matter that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) practiced throughout his life, and then no text comes to us regarding it; that is not reasonable. You are walking, my brothers, it is now nine and a half o'clock.