What is the ruling on praying in the second row when there is a gap in the first row, for example, in order to catch up with the prayer?

The questioner : Shaykh, may Allah reward you. If I enter the mosque and it is spacious, I either go to fill a gap at the back of the mosque, in which case I might miss the rak'ah or even the congregation, or I pray in a row at the back that is not complete?

The Shaykh : If this is the last rak'ah, there is no harm in praying in the second row while there is a gap in the first. But if it is not the last rak'ah, you should complete the first row, then the first row. The evidence for this is the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): . When we combine this with his saying: , the meaning becomes that whenever a person is able to catch up with the prayer, he should complete the first row, then the first row.