What is the ruling on one who prays alone behind the row while ignorant of this ruling?

The questioner : A questioner says: You mentioned in your answer to a question about praying alone behind the row that his prayer is invalid. Does the same ruling apply to one who was ignorant of this ruling, which is indicated by the hadith , meaning that his prayer is invalid?

The Shaykh : Yes, if a person prays alone behind the row without an excuse, meaning the row was not complete and he came and prayed behind the row without an excuse, his prayer is invalid, based on the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): But if he was ignorant and did not know that it is forbidden, is his prayer valid? Some scholars held that his prayer is valid due to the generality of the saying of Allah the Exalted: And some scholars held that his prayer is invalid It is known that a Companion would not intentionally pray behind the row while knowing it is forbidden, which indicates that one who prays behind the row, even if he is ignorant, is ordered to repeat it. This is the correct view, and it also aligns with the rule, because leaving the alignment of the row is from the category of doing what is prohibited or from the category of leaving what is commanded? It is from the category of leaving what is commanded, so it aligns with the rule exactly. But if this man says, "I prayed behind the row because my scholars say there is no harm," you know this issue is a matter of scholarly disagreement. The madhhab of al-Shafi'i, Malik, and Abu Hanifah (may Allah have mercy on them), and a narration from Imam Ahmad, is that the prayer of one who prays alone behind the row is valid, and that the negation is a negation of perfection, not a negation of validity. So if he says, "By Allah, I followed my scholars; my scholars say there is no harm in praying behind the row," do we oblige him to repeat it? No, because in matters of independent legal reasoning, we cannot impose our view on anyone as long as this is the view of his scholars and he is a layperson who follows a scholar. We say, "Nothing is required of you." But, my brother, the evidence indicates that it is necessary to be in the row. Yes.

The questioner : May Allah reward you with good. Questioner

The Shaykh : Yes