Is it permissible to stand beside the imam if the rows are complete, so that he does not stand alone behind the row?
Machine translationRead the Arabic original
The questioner : Is it permissible to stand to the right of the imam when the rows are complete, given that it is reported that it is not permissible to pray alone if there is a congregational prayer?
The Shaykh : If it is possible to reach the position beside the imam without breaking through the rows and disrupting them, it is permissible; otherwise, he should pray alone behind the row.
The questioner : Permissible, you mean?
The Shaykh: Yes.
The questioner : What is the evidence, O Shaykh?
The Shaykh : Yes?
The questioner : The evidence that he prays alone?
The Shaykh : The evidence is[Al-Baqarah 2:286], [Al-Baqarah 2:286]. The Messenger (peace be upon him) said, in what is known as a pillar of the prayer, that joining the row and not praying as an individual is more important.
The questioner: Yes.
The ShaykhSunan Abi Dawud 952Sahih (Al-Albani); so standing is a pillar of the prayer, but if you are unable: you pray sitting. Now, let us say that joining the row is a pillar of the prayer.
The questioner: Yes.
The Shaykh : Good, but if he cannot join, then he prays alone because:[Al-Baqarah 2:286].
The Shaykh : If it is possible to reach the position beside the imam without breaking through the rows and disrupting them, it is permissible; otherwise, he should pray alone behind the row.
The questioner : Permissible, you mean?
The Shaykh: Yes.
The questioner : What is the evidence, O Shaykh?
The Shaykh : Yes?
The questioner : The evidence that he prays alone?
The Shaykh : The evidence is
Allah does not charge a soul except [with that within] its capacity
لَا يُكَلِّفُ اللَّهُ نَفْسًا إِلَّا وُسْعَهَاAllah does not charge a soul except [with that within] its capacity
لَا يُكَلِّفُ اللَّهُ نَفْسًا إِلَّا وُسْعَهَاThe questioner: Yes.
The Shaykh
offer prayer in standing condition; if you are unable to do so, then in sitting condition: if you are then at your side
صلِّ قائمًا ، فإن لم تستطع فقاعدًا ، فإن لم تستطع فعلى جنبThe questioner: Yes.
The Shaykh : Good, but if he cannot join, then he prays alone because:
Allah does not charge a soul except [with that within] its capacity
لَا يُكَلِّفُ اللَّهُ نَفْسًا إِلَّا وُسْعَهَا
Source
www.al-albany.com
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.