A warning against standing in the gaps between the pillars, and an explanation that deviating from the outward form may lead to a change in the inward state.

Abu Layla : What if the row between the pillars is noticed?

The Shaykh : Is there a gap? If there is a gap, do not stand in the rows between the pillars. But if there is no gap, there is no harm. Yes.

The questioner : There is a gap.

The Shaykh : Step back, my brothers. It is not permissible to stand in the rows between the pillars, between the columns. By Allah, this is also one of the matters in which Muslims contradict the hadiths of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him). There are two hadiths on this. This pillar, in the language of the Messenger, is called a pillar (sariyyah). He (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Why? Because standing in the row between the pillars breaks the row, dividing it into three sections. This is part of Islam’s care for unifying the outward appearance of Muslims so that their inward states and hearts are unified. Therefore, he (peace and blessings be upon him) said, or the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) used to say on such an occasion regarding straightening the rows: Meaning, your hearts. Disagreement in straightening the rows becomes a cause of disagreement in the hearts. The outward form is the indicator of the inward state. If the outward form is in accordance with the Shari'ah, the inward state will be the same, and vice versa. So, maintaining the unity of the row, he (peace and blessings be upon him) said: This is one hadith. Another hadith is narrated by Anas ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him): "We used to drive people away from the row between the pillars with force." Drive them away, step back, step back with force. Why? Because it is a great error to break the row by standing in a section between two pillars, or between a pillar and the wall, or between another pillar and the wall. So be careful of this. You should not stand between the pillars. Rather, either step forward if there is no space, as we handled the situation just now by moving forward, or step back behind the pillars so that there is a gap between the row in front of you and you, greater than the usual row spacing, which is typically the amount of space that allows the worshipper to prostrate comfortably. If Allah wills, you will maintain this. Now, we turn to Allah and ask Allah to forgive us all. Straighten your rows.