Ruling on Reserving Spaces in the First Row
Machine translationRead the Arabic original
Q428: The questioner asks: What is the ruling on reserving spaces in the first row, inside the mosque?
A428: Reserving spaces is permissible if it is for a need, such as going to perform wudu, or a minor need where one steps out and returns; in that case, there is nothing wrong with protecting one’s place with something until one arrives. However, if one reserves the row and goes to sleep, or to attend to worldly affairs, and then arrives late, having reserved the row from those who were earlier to prayer, this is forbidden, and it is not permissible for him to do so.
A428: Reserving spaces is permissible if it is for a need, such as going to perform wudu, or a minor need where one steps out and returns; in that case, there is nothing wrong with protecting one’s place with something until one arrives. However, if one reserves the row and goes to sleep, or to attend to worldly affairs, and then arrives late, having reserved the row from those who were earlier to prayer, this is forbidden, and it is not permissible for him to do so.
Source
www.alifta.gov.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.