Hadith Research Libraryمكتبة الحديث والرجال

Chapter 28.0

Straightening The Rows; The Virtue Of The Front Row And Then The Next; Competing With One Another For The Front Row; The People Of Virtue Should Take Precedence And Be Closest To The Imam

باب تَسْوِيَةِ الصُّفُوفِ وَإِقَامَتِهَا وَفَضْلِ الأَوَّلِ فَالأَوَّلِ مِنْهَا وَالاِزْدِحَامِ عَلَى الصَّفِّ الأَوَّلِ وَالْمُسَابَقَةِ إِلَيْهَا وَتَقْدِيمِ أُولِي الْفَضْلِ وَتَقْرِيبِهِمْ مِنَ الإِمَامِ

15 hadiths

Sahih Muslim, 432 asahih

Hadith text · Matn

حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بَكْرِ بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ إِدْرِيسَ، وَأَبُو مُعَاوِيَةَ وَوَكِيعٌ عَنِ الأَعْمَشِ، عَنْ عُمَارَةَ بْنِ عُمَيْرٍ التَّيْمِيِّ، عَنْ أَبِي مَعْمَرٍ، عَنْ أَبِي مَسْعُودٍ، قَالَ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَمْسَحُ مَنَاكِبَنَا فِي الصَّلاَةِ وَيَقُولُ ‏

‏ اسْتَوُوا وَلاَ تَخْتَلِفُوا فَتَخْتَلِفَ قُلُوبُكُمْ لِيَلِنِي مِنْكُمْ أُولُو الأَحْلاَمِ وَالنُّهَى ثُمَّ الَّذِينَ يَلُونَهُمْ ثُمَّ الَّذِينَ يَلُونَهُمْ ‏

‏ ‏.‏ قَالَ أَبُو مَسْعُودٍ فَأَنْتُمُ الْيَوْمَ أَشَدُّ اخْتِلاَفًا ‏.‏

English translation

Abu Mas'ud reported:

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to touch our shoulders in prayer and say: Keep straight, don't be irregular, for there would be dissension in your hearts. Let those of you who are sedate and prudent be near me, then those who are next to them, then those who are next to them. Abu Mas'ud said: Now-a-days there is much dissension amongst you.

Sahih Muslim, 432 bsahih

Hadith text · Matn

وَحَدَّثَنَاهُ إِسْحَاقُ، أَخْبَرَنَا جَرِيرٌ، ح قَالَ وَحَدَّثَنَا ابْنُ خَشْرَمٍ، أَخْبَرَنَا عِيسَى يَعْنِي ابْنَ يُونُسَ، ح قَالَ وَحَدَّثَنَا ابْنُ أَبِي عُمَرَ، حَدَّثَنَا ابْنُ عُيَيْنَةَ، بِهَذَا الإِسْنَادِ نَحْوَهُ ‏.‏

English translation

This hadith is narrated by Ibn Uyaina with the same chain of transmitters.

Sahih Muslim, 432 csahih

Chain of narration · Isnād

Each narrator name opens their biography and classical source evidence.

7 transmitters

Narrated by Salah bin Hatim bin WardanfromYazid bin Zari'fromKhalid bin Mahran al-Hadha'fromNajih bin 'Abdur RahmanfromIbrahim al-Nakha'ifrom'Alqama bin Qaysfromibn Mas'ud

Hadith text · Matn

‏ لِيَلِنِي مِنْكُمْ أُولُو الأَحْلاَمِ وَالنُّهَى ثُمَّ الَّذِينَ يَلُونَهُمْ - ثَلاَثًا - وَإِيَّاكُمْ وَهَيْشَاتِ الأَسْوَاقِ ‏

‏ ‏.‏

English translation

Abdullah b. Mas'ud reported:

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: Let those who are sedate and prudent be near me, then those who are next to them (saying it tliree tinies), and beware of the tumult of the markets.

Original Arabic chain wording

حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ حَبِيبٍ الْحَارِثِيُّ، وَصَالِحُ بْنُ حَاتِمِ بْنِ وَرْدَانَ، قَالاَ حَدَّثَنَا يَزِيدُ بْنُ زُرَيْعٍ، حَدَّثَنِي خَالِدٌ الْحَذَّاءُ، عَنْ أَبِي مَعْشَرٍ، عَنْ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، عَنْ عَلْقَمَةَ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ مَسْعُودٍ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏

Sahih Muslim, 433sahih

Chain of narration · Isnād

Each narrator name opens their biography and classical source evidence.

6 transmitters

Narrated by Muhammad bin al-Muthna - al-ZamanfromMuhammad bin Bashar BindarfromMuhammad bin Ja'far bin Abi KathirfromShu'bah bin al-HajjajfromQatadafromAnas bin Malik

Hadith text · Matn

‏ سَوُّوا صُفُوفَكُمْ فَإِنَّ تَسْوِيَةَ الصَّفِّ مِنْ تَمَامِ الصَّلاَةِ ‏

‏ ‏.‏

English translation

Anas b. Malik reported:

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: Straighten your rows. for the straightening of a row is a part of the perfection of prayer.

Original Arabic chain wording

حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْمُثَنَّى، وَابْنُ، بَشَّارٍ قَالاَ حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ جَعْفَرٍ، حَدَّثَنَا شُعْبَةُ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ قَتَادَةَ، يُحَدِّثُ عَنْ أَنَسِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏

Sahih Muslim, 434sahih

Chain of narration · Isnād

Each narrator name opens their biography and classical source evidence.

4 transmitters

Narrated by Shayban bin Farroukhfrom'Abdul Warith bin Sa'id bin Dhakwanfrom'Abdul 'Aziz bin SuhaibfromAnas bin Malik

Hadith text · Matn

‏ أَتِمُّوا الصُّفُوفَ فَإِنِّي أَرَاكُمْ خَلْفَ ظَهْرِي ‏

‏ ‏.‏

English translation

Anas b. Malik reported:

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: Complete the rows, for I can see you behind my back.

Original Arabic chain wording

حَدَّثَنَا شَيْبَانُ بْنُ فَرُّوخَ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الْوَارِثِ، عَنْ عَبْدِ الْعَزِيزِ، - وَهُوَ ابْنُ صُهَيْبٍ - عَنْ أَنَسٍ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏

Sahih Muslim, 435sahih

Chain of narration · Isnād

Each narrator name opens their biography and classical source evidence.

5 transmitters

Narrated by Muhammad bin Rafa'ifrom'Abdur-RazzaqfromMa'mar bin RashidfromHamam bin MunabbihfromAbu Hurairah

Hadith text · Matn

‏ أَقِيمُوا الصَّفَّ فِي الصَّلاَةِ فَإِنَّ إِقَامَةَ الصَّفِّ مِنْ حُسْنِ الصَّلاَةِ ‏

‏ ‏.‏

English translation

Hammam b. Munabbih reported:

This is what was transmitted to us by Abu Huraira from the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and, while making a mention of a few ahadith, said: (The Messengerof Allah directed us thus): Establish rows in prayer, for the making of a row (straight) is one of the merits of prayer.

Original Arabic chain wording

حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ رَافِعٍ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الرَّزَّاقِ، حَدَّثَنَا مَعْمَرٌ، عَنْ هَمَّامِ بْنِ مُنَبِّهٍ، قَالَ هَذَا مَا حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو هُرَيْرَةَ، عَنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَذَكَرَ أَحَادِيثَ مِنْهَا وَقَالَ ‏

Sahih Muslim, 436 asahih

Hadith text · Matn

حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بَكْرِ بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ، حَدَّثَنَا غُنْدَرٌ، عَنْ شُعْبَةَ، ح وَحَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْمُثَنَّى، وَابْنُ، بَشَّارٍ قَالاَ حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ جَعْفَرٍ، حَدَّثَنَا شُعْبَةُ، عَنْ عَمْرِو بْنِ مُرَّةَ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ سَالِمَ بْنَ أَبِي الْجَعْدِ الْغَطَفَانِيَّ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ النُّعْمَانَ بْنَ بَشِيرٍ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقُولُ ‏

‏ لَتُسَوُّنَّ صُفُوفَكُمْ أَوْ لَيُخَالِفَنَّ اللَّهُ بَيْنَ وُجُوهِكُمْ ‏

‏ ‏.‏

English translation

Nu'man b. Bashir reported:

I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) say: Straighten your rows, or Allah would create dissension amongst you.

Sahih Muslim, 436 bsahih

Hadith text · Matn

حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ يَحْيَى، أَخْبَرَنَا أَبُو خَيْثَمَةَ، عَنْ سِمَاكِ بْنِ حَرْبٍ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ النُّعْمَانَ بْنَ بَشِيرٍ، يَقُولُ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يُسَوِّي صُفُوفَنَا حَتَّى كَأَنَّمَا يُسَوِّي بِهَا الْقِدَاحَ حَتَّى رَأَى أَنَّا قَدْ عَقَلْنَا عَنْهُ ثُمَّ خَرَجَ يَوْمًا فَقَامَ حَتَّى كَادَ يُكَبِّرُ فَرَأَى رَجُلاً بَادِيًا صَدْرُهُ مِنَ الصَّفِّ فَقَالَ ‏

‏ عِبَادَ اللَّهِ لَتُسَوُّنَّ صُفُوفَكُمْ أَوْ لَيُخَالِفَنَّ اللَّهُ بَيْنَ وُجُوهِكُمْ ‏

‏ ‏.‏

English translation

Nu'man b. Bashir reported:

The Messenger of Allah (may peace-be upon him) used to straighten our rows as it lie were straightening an arrow with their help until be saw that we had learnt it from him. One day he came out, stood up (for prayer) and was about to say: Allah is the Greatest, when he saw a man, whose chest was bulging out from the row, so he said: Servants of Allah, you hint straighten your rows or Allah would create dissension amongst you.

Sahih Muslim, 436 csahih

Chain of narration · Isnād

Each narrator name opens their biography and classical source evidence.

3 transmitters

Narrated by Abu Bakr bin Abi ShaybafromAbu al-Ahwus, Salam bin Sulaym al-HanafifromQutayba bin Sa'id bin Jamil

Hadith text · Matn

حَدَّثَنَا حَسَنُ بْنُ الرَّبِيعِ، وَأَبُو بَكْرِ بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ قَالاَ حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو الأَحْوَصِ، ح وَحَدَّثَنَا قُتَيْبَةُ بْنُ سَعِيدٍ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو عَوَانَةَ، بِهَذَا الإِسْنَادِ نَحْوَهُ ‏.‏

English translation

Abu 'Awana reported this hadith with the same chain of transmitters.

Sahih Muslim, 437sahih

Chain of narration · Isnād

Each narrator name opens their biography and classical source evidence.

3 transmitters

Narrated by Yahya bin Yahya bin BukayrfromDhakwan Abu Salah al-Saman al-ZiyatfromAbu Hurairah

Hadith text · Matn

‏ لَوْ يَعْلَمُ النَّاسُ مَا فِي النِّدَاءِ وَالصَّفِّ الأَوَّلِ ثُمَّ لَمْ يَجِدُوا إِلاَّ أَنْ يَسْتَهِمُوا عَلَيْهِ لاَسْتَهَمُوا وَلَوْ يَعْلَمُونَ مَا فِي التَّهْجِيرِ لاَسْتَبَقُوا إِلَيْهِ وَلَوْ يَعْلَمُونَ مَا فِي الْعَتَمَةِ وَالصُّبْحِ لأَتَوْهُمَا وَلَوْ حَبْوًا ‏

‏ ‏.‏

English translation

Abu Huraira reported:

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: If the people were to know what excellence is there in the Adhan and in the first row, and they could not (get these opportunities) except by drawing lots, they would have definitely done that. And if they were to know what excellence lies in joining the prayer in the first takbir (prayer), they would have vied with one another. And if they were to know what excellence lies in the night prayer and morning prayer, they would have definitely come even if crawling (on their knees).

Original Arabic chain wording

حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ يَحْيَى، قَالَ قَرَأْتُ عَلَى مَالِكٍ عَنْ سُمَىٍّ، مَوْلَى أَبِي بَكْرٍ عَنْ أَبِي صَالِحٍ السَّمَّانِ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏

Sahih Muslim, 438 asahih

Hadith text · Matn

حَدَّثَنَا شَيْبَانُ بْنُ فَرُّوخَ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو الأَشْهَبِ، عَنْ أَبِي نَضْرَةَ الْعَبْدِيِّ، عَنْ أَبِي سَعِيدٍ الْخُدْرِيِّ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم رَأَى فِي أَصْحَابِهِ تَأَخُّرًا فَقَالَ لَهُمْ ‏

‏ تَقَدَّمُوا فَائْتَمُّوا بِي وَلْيَأْتَمَّ بِكُمْ مَنْ بَعْدَكُمْ لاَ يَزَالُ قَوْمٌ يَتَأَخَّرُونَ حَتَّى يُؤَخِّرَهُمُ اللَّهُ ‏

‏ ‏.‏

English translation

Abu Sa'id al-Khudri reported:

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) saw (a tendency ) among his Companions to go to the back, so he said to them: Come forward and follow my lead, and let those who come after you follow your lead. People will continue to keep back till Allah will put them at the back.

Sahih Muslim, 438 bsahih

Chain of narration · Isnād

Each narrator name opens their biography and classical source evidence.

6 transmitters

Narrated by 'Abdullah bin 'Abdur Rahman al-DaarimifromMuhammad bin 'Abdullah bin MuhammadfromBashr bin Mnswr al-SlymyfromSa'id bin Iyas al-Jaririfromal-Mandhar bin Malik bin Qata'fromAbu Sa'id al-Khudri

Hadith text · Matn

حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ الدَّارِمِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ الرَّقَاشِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا بِشْرُ بْنُ مَنْصُورٍ، عَنِ الْجُرَيْرِيِّ، عَنْ أَبِي نَضْرَةَ، عَنْ أَبِي سَعِيدٍ الْخُدْرِيِّ، قَالَ رَأَى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَوْمًا فِي مُؤَخَّرِ الْمَسْجِدِ ‏.‏ فَذَكَرَ مِثْلَهُ ‏.‏

English translation

Abu Sa'id al-Khudri reported:

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) saw people at the end of the mosque, and then the (above-mentioned hadith) was narrated.

Sahih Muslim, 439sahih

Chain of narration · Isnād

Each narrator name opens their biography and classical source evidence.

7 transmitters

Narrated by Ibrahim bin Dinar al-BghdadyfromMuhammad bin Harb al-WastifromShu'bah bin al-HajjajfromQatadafromKhalas bin 'Amr al-HajrifromAbu Rafi'fromAbu Hurairah

Hadith text · Matn

حَدَّثَنَا إِبْرَاهِيمُ بْنُ دِينَارٍ، وَمُحَمَّدُ بْنُ حَرْبٍ الْوَاسِطِيُّ، قَالاَ حَدَّثَنَا عَمْرُو بْنُ الْهَيْثَمِ أَبُو قَطَنٍ، حَدَّثَنَا شُعْبَةُ، عَنْ قَتَادَةَ، عَنْ خِلاَسٍ، عَنْ أَبِي رَافِعٍ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏"‏ لَوْ تَعْلَمُونَ - أَوْ يَعْلَمُونَ - مَا فِي الصَّفِّ الْمُقَدَّمِ لَكَانَتْ قُرْعَةً ‏"‏ ‏.‏ وَقَالَ ابْنُ حَرْبٍ ‏"‏ الصَّفِّ الأَوَّلِ مَا كَانَتْ إِلاَّ قُرْعَةً ‏"‏ ‏.‏

English translation

Abu Huraira reported:

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: If you were to know, or if they were to know, what (excellence) lies in the first rows, there would have been drawing of lots (for filling them) ; and Ibn Harb said: For (occupying) the first row there would have been drawing of lots.

Sahih Muslim, 440 asahih

Hadith text · Matn

حَدَّثَنَا زُهَيْرُ بْنُ حَرْبٍ، حَدَّثَنَا جَرِيرٌ، عَنْ سُهَيْلٍ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏

‏ خَيْرُ صُفُوفِ الرِّجَالِ أَوَّلُهَا وَشَرُّهَا آخِرُهَا وَخَيْرُ صُفُوفِ النِّسَاءِ آخِرُهَا وَشَرُّهَا أَوَّلُهَا ‏

‏ ‏.‏

English translation

It was narrated from Abu Huraira that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:

The best rows for men are the first rows, and the worst ones the last ones, and the best rows for women are the last ones and the worst ones for them are the first ones.

Sahih Muslim, 440 bsahih

Chain of narration · Isnād

Each narrator name opens their biography and classical source evidence.

2 transmitters

Narrated by Qutayba bin Sa'id bin Jamilfrom'Abdul 'Aziz bin Muhammad al-Daruradi

Hadith text · Matn

حَدَّثَنَا قُتَيْبَةُ بْنُ سَعِيدٍ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الْعَزِيزِ، - يَعْنِي الدَّرَاوَرْدِيَّ - عَنْ سُهَيْلٍ، بِهَذَا الإِسْنَادِ ‏.‏

English translation

This hadith is narrated by Suhail with the same chain of transmitters.