The Ruling on Leaving a Gap Between the Rows of Prayers and the Ruling on Movement During Prayer

Question:
And another says: We request that this question be presented before others for the general benefit. He says: What is the ruling on the gap between the rows of the prayer? Is it a blameworthy act? And how is this blameworthy act removed? Some of the worshippers—may Allah guide them—exaggerate in their movements and look at the clock during the prayer, and this undoubtedly distracts the mind from the prayer. What is the ruling on a prayer in which one exaggerates in movements and looks at the clock? Some people may leave adjusting their headscarf until they say the takbir of ihram, and at that time they are occupied with adjusting it. We request sufficient clarification for all the Muslims present, and thank you?

Answer:
There is no doubt that khushu' (humility) in the prayer, turning to it, being occupied with it, and bringing the heart before Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) in the prayer is a great matter and a required matter. Allah the Exalted said: those who are humble in their prayers [Al-Mu'minun: 1, 2]
Therefore, the believer should pay attention to this, and so should the believing woman. Every believer, male and female, it is obligatory for them to pay attention to the prayer, to be tranquil in it, and to beware of what invalidates it for them. Khushu' is among the most important things Allah has prescribed in it. The one who does not become tranquil in his prayer, but rather rattles it off, his prayer is invalid. The believer should observe this.
And if there is a gap in the row, they should draw close and close the gap. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) ordered to close the gaps and stand close together. So it is obligatory for the believers in the rows to stand close together and close the gaps as the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) ordered.
And when one enters the prayer, let him turn to it. He should not be occupied with the clock, or the headscarf, or the hair tie, or anything else. Rather, he should be occupied with his prayer with his heart and his body, with his recitation, his bowing, and his prostration. He should be occupied with the prayer, for there is occupation in it, for it is the pillar of Islam. So let him be occupied with it with reflection, understanding, and monitoring of Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) and turning to it. For khushu' is the spirit and the essence of the prayer. So leave for yourself what concerns the clock, or the headscarf, or the turban, or anything else.
But little movement does not harm. Rather, what harms is its abundance and its continuity. So if the movement becomes abundant and continuous, it invalidates the prayer. There is no power and no strength except by Allah. If the fooling around becomes abundant and continuous, it invalidates the prayer. So one must beware.
As for the little thing, it is excused. But the little thing may lead to the much. So one should leave the little so that it does not lead him to the much. And he should turn to his prayer and pay attention to it to the utmost degree of attention until he comes out of it having performed it as Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) prescribed.