Is it permissible to reserve seats in the front row for attending circles of knowledge?
Machine translationRead the Arabic original
The questioner : Do you think it is permissible for a student of knowledge to take a place in the front row while he attends the lesson in the back of the mosque, meaning he reserves a place for himself?
The Shaykh : It seems he is indicating that the lesson precedes the prayer, meaning he prays Maghrib, sets aside a place for himself, and then goes to the lesson. I say this is permissible, but on the condition that it does not involve stepping over people’s backs. For example, if there is a door in the mosque leading to the front row, he enters through that door and does not step over anyone, then there is no harm in it. However, if it necessitates stepping over people’s backs, he should not place anything to reserve the place; rather, he should leave the place and attend the lesson. When the prayer is called, he prays in whatever place is convenient for him.
The student: One person is sitting in my place, and he does not know?
The Shaykh : No, no, do not stand him up; let him rest.
The Shaykh : It seems he is indicating that the lesson precedes the prayer, meaning he prays Maghrib, sets aside a place for himself, and then goes to the lesson. I say this is permissible, but on the condition that it does not involve stepping over people’s backs. For example, if there is a door in the mosque leading to the front row, he enters through that door and does not step over anyone, then there is no harm in it. However, if it necessitates stepping over people’s backs, he should not place anything to reserve the place; rather, he should leave the place and attend the lesson. When the prayer is called, he prays in whatever place is convenient for him.
The student: One person is sitting in my place, and he does not know?
The Shaykh : No, no, do not stand him up; let him rest.