What is the ruling on praying in crooked and broken rows, and what is the authenticity of the hadith: "Indeed, Allah does not look at the crooked row"?

The questioner : His EminenceThe Shaykh : It has become widespread among people that Allah does not look at the crooked row. Is this a hadith? Then, what is the ruling on praying in crooked rows and broken rows, and between the pillars, especially in this mosque?

The Shaykh : After extensive research into this hadith, I have not seen it attributed to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him). Therefore, it is not permissible for anyone to say that until this is established from the Messenger of Allah. However, it occurred from the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) that he would straighten the rows, straightening them with his hand as if he were straightening arrows, and he would wipe their chests and shoulders (peace and blessings be upon him). He would walk in the row, wiping the shoulders and chests, and say: When he saw that they had understood from him and known, he stood up one day and turned around, and if a man’s chest had protruded, he would say: See, the warning does not occur except for a forbidden act. Therefore, the stronger opinion is that straightening the rows is obligatory, and that not straightening them is forbidden, because there is no warning except for leaving an obligatory act, and the warning is not a trivial matter. He said: This is because it is known that the one who disagrees with me in my viewpoint will not walk with me, and my goal will not be his goal. So the matter is serious. May Allah reward you. Therefore, care must be taken in straightening the row. The rest of the question.

The questioner : ... .

The Shaykh : As for broken rows, that is also contrary to the Sunnah, because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) ordered closeness in the rows and said: As for the row between the pillars, meaning between the columns, if there is a need for that due to the narrowness of the space, there is no harm in it. And if there is no need for that, the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) would avoid rows between the pillars, and they are the best example for this community.