Is it better to pray the rawatib at home or to go early to the mosque and pray in the first row?

The Shaykh : Yes

The questioner : May peace and mercy of Allah be upon you, esteemed Shaykh. Which is better in terms of reward: going early to the mosque and being in the first row, or praying the regular voluntary prayers (rawatib) at home, thereby missing the first row?

The Shaykh : What appears to me is that it is better to pray at home, because the command regarding the rawatib comes before the command regarding the row, and one starts with the first thing, then the next. So pray the rawatib, then go to the mosque and be wherever you find a place.