Riyad as-Salihin, 1086
Abu Mas'ud (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to gently pat our shoulders when we were standing in rows at the time of Salat and say, "Keep (the rows) straight; do not differ from each other lest your hearts should suffer from discord. Let those of you who are mature and prudent be nearer to me, and then those who are next to them." <b>[Muslim]</b>.
وعن أبي مسعود رضي الله عنه قال: كان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يمسح مناكبنا في الصلاة، ويقول:
استووا ولا تختلفوا فتختلف قلوبكم، ليلني منكم أولو الأحلام والنهى، ثم الذين يلونهم ثم الذين يلونهم
. ((رواه مسلم)).
References1 variant
- In-Book Reference
- Book 8, Hadith 96
Sharh · explanationclick to expand
<b>Guidance from the Hadiths:</b><br>
1) The Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) paid great attention to straightening the rows during prayer, through his words and example.<br>
2) They forbid us from making our manner of standing in the rows different, lest our hearts become different as well.<br>
3) It encourages that adults and wiser people stand behind the Imām.<br>
4) Straightening rows is part of the good performance of prayer. So, the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) instructed us to straighten our rows in prayer so that we would reap complete rewards and benefits, while following our Prophet’s example.<br>
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<b>Words in the Hadith:</b><br>
Nearest to me: directly behind me.