Is the connection of the rows a condition for the validity of the prayer?
Machine translationRead the Arabic original
The questioner : Is the connection of the rows a condition for the validity of the prayer, given that it is difficult to connect the rows in this Haram due to the large area of the Haram?
The Shaykh : Yes, there is no doubt that the Sunnah regarding the rows in congregational prayer is to align them tightly without hardship, to align them tightly without hardship, and to prevent gaps between the men. The Sunnah is also to bring the rows close to one another, and for the imam to be close to the rows. Note that we find some imams have a distance between them and the first row that could accommodate two rows. The Sunnah is for the first row to be immediately behind the imam, just as the second row is immediately behind the first, so that the imam and the followers are close together because they are a congregation.
Likewise, the Sunnah is to complete the first row, then the next, because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:Sunan Ibn Majah 992 The angels align themselves before Allah. Allah the Exalted said about them: [As-Saffat 37:165] , Al-Mustadrak lil-Hakim 33:43 This is the Sunnah.
But we find that in the Sacred Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque, people do not care about completing the first row, then the next, nor about completing the rows. You find them in scattered groups, and this is contrary to the Sunnah without a doubt. So whoever among you is able to complete the first row, then the next, that is what is best. Likewise, whoever among you is able to fill a gap if it occurs in the rows, that is what is most complete and best. Yes.
The Shaykh : Yes, there is no doubt that the Sunnah regarding the rows in congregational prayer is to align them tightly without hardship, to align them tightly without hardship, and to prevent gaps between the men. The Sunnah is also to bring the rows close to one another, and for the imam to be close to the rows. Note that we find some imams have a distance between them and the first row that could accommodate two rows. The Sunnah is for the first row to be immediately behind the imam, just as the second row is immediately behind the first, so that the imam and the followers are close together because they are a congregation.
Likewise, the Sunnah is to complete the first row, then the next, because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
Will you not form your rows as the angels form their rows before their Lord?
ألا تصفون كما تصف الملائكة عند ربها؟And indeed, we are those who line up [for prayer].
وإنا لنحن الصافونand the ones who stand in rows
والصافات صفاThey said, “How is that, O Messenger of Allah?” He said, “They align tightly and complete the first row, then the next.”
قالوا كيف ذلك يا رسول الله؟ قال: يتراصون ويكمّلون الأول فالأولBut we find that in the Sacred Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque, people do not care about completing the first row, then the next, nor about completing the rows. You find them in scattered groups, and this is contrary to the Sunnah without a doubt. So whoever among you is able to complete the first row, then the next, that is what is best. Likewise, whoever among you is able to fill a gap if it occurs in the rows, that is what is most complete and best. Yes.