What is the ruling on a group of people praying in the second row while there are gaps in the first row on the right and left?
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The questioner : May Allah reward you, O Shaykh. The saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): Bulugh al-Maram 2:327, if more than one man came and caught up with the imam while he was bowing, and they lined up in the second row or stood in the second row while there are gaps on the right and left, do we say that their prayer is not valid or that they must repeat it?
The Shaykh : If two people stand behind a row that is not complete, whether they fear missing a rak'ah or not, their prayer is valid, but they have left off what is best, which is to complete the first row, then the first row.
The questioner : Is this based on the opinion of the one who said that the prayer of the one praying alone is not valid?
The Shaykh : Yes, based on his opinion, because he is not praying alone. The Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) saw a man praying alone behind the row.
As for the stronger position, if you find the row complete, there is no blame on you for standing alone. Yes, that is right.
The questioner : Your Eminence, the Shaykh
The Shaykh : Why are you sitting here, my brother? Go and lead the people in prayer.
The prayer of a person who prays alone behind the row is not accepted.
لا صلاة لمنفرد خلف الصفThe Shaykh : If two people stand behind a row that is not complete, whether they fear missing a rak'ah or not, their prayer is valid, but they have left off what is best, which is to complete the first row, then the first row.
The questioner : Is this based on the opinion of the one who said that the prayer of the one praying alone is not valid?
The Shaykh : Yes, based on his opinion, because he is not praying alone. The Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) saw a man praying alone behind the row.
As for the stronger position, if you find the row complete, there is no blame on you for standing alone. Yes, that is right.
The questioner : Your Eminence, the Shaykh
The Shaykh : Why are you sitting here, my brother? Go and lead the people in prayer.