“Why do you not pray over there?” And I pointed to some corner of the mosque. He said: “I saw the Messenger of Allah ﷺ seeking out this place.” (Using translation from Ibn Mājah 1430)   

أَنَّهُ كَانَ يَأْتِي مَعَ سَلَمَةَ بْنِ الْأَكْوَعِ إِلَى سُبْحَةِ الضُّحَى فَيَعْمِدُ إِلَى الْأُسْطُوَانَةِ فَيُصَلِّي قَرِيبًا مِنْهَا فَأَقُولُ لَهُ لَا تُصَلِّ هَا هُنَا وَأُشِيرُ لَهُ إِلَى بَعْضِ نَوَاحِي الْمَسْجِدِ فَيَقُولُ «إِنِّي رَأَيْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ يَتَحَرَّى هَذَا الْمَقَامَ»  

"If the people knew what (virtue) there was in the call to prayer and the first row, and they not find any way to get to do that [1] other than by drawing lots, they would do that. If they knew what (virtue) there was in coming early to prayer, they would compete to be first in the Masjid. If they knew what (virtue) there was in Al-'Atamah and Subh, they would come to them even if they had to crawl." [1] Indicating the two mentioned items: that is the call to prayer and praying in the first row. (Using translation from Nasāʾī 540)  

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ «لَوْ يَعْلَمُ النَّاسُ مَا فِي النِّدَاءِ وَالصَّفِّ الْأَوَّلِ ثُمَّ لَمْ يَجِدُوا إِلَّا أَنْ يَسْتَهِمُوا عَلَيْهِ لَاسْتَهَمُوا وَلَوْ يَعْلَمُونَ مَا فِي التَّهْجِيرِ لَاسْتَبَقُوا إِلَيْهِ وَلَوْ يَعْلَمُونَ مَا فِي الْعَتَمَةِ وَالصُّبْحِ لَأَتَوْهُمَا وَلَوْ حَبْوًا»  

Why do you stand in rows as the angels do in the presence of their Lord? We asked: how do the angles stand in rows in the presence of their Lord? He replied: they make the first row complete and keep close together in the row. (Using translation from Abū Dāʾūd 661)   

دَخَلَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ الْمَسْجِدَ فَقَالَ «أَلَا تَصُفُّونَ كَمَا تَصُفُّ الْمَلَائِكَةُ عِنْدَ رَبِّهِمْ؟ » قَالُوا يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ وَكَيْفَ تَصُفُّ الْمَلَائِكَةُ عِنْدَ رَبِّهِمْ؟ قَالَ «يُتِمُّونَ الصُّفُوفُ الْأُوَلَ وَيَتَرَاصُّونَ فِي الصَّفِّ»  

[Machine] The Prophet ﷺ said, "Complete the first row, and if there is any deficiency, let it be in the back row."  

أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ قَالَ «أَتِمُّوا الصَّفَّ الْمُقَدَّمَ فَإِنْ كَانَ نُقْصَانٌ فَلْيَكُنْ فِي الْمُؤَخَّرِ»  

‘A’ishah reported the Messenger of Allah ﷺ as saying the people will continue to keep themselves away from the front row until Allah will keep them away (from the front) in the Hell-fire. (Using translation from Abū Dāʾūd 679)   

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ «لَا يَزَالُ قَوْمٌ يَتَخَلَّفُونَ عَنِ الصَّفِّ الْأَوَّلِ حَتَّى يُخَلِّفَهُمُ اللَّهُ فِي النَّارِ»  

[Machine] The translation of the given text is:

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to come to us and would wipe our shoulders and chests and say, "Do not let your rows differ, for then your hearts will differ. Indeed, Allah and His angels send prayers upon the first row."  

كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ يَأْتِينَا فَيَمْسَحُ عَوَاتِقَنَا وَصُدُورَنَا وَيَقُولُ «لَا تَخْتَلِفْ صُفُوفُكُمْ فَتَخْتَلِفَ قُلُوبُكُمْ إِنَّ اللَّهَ وَمَلَائِكَتَهُ يُصَلُّونَ عَلَى الصَّفِّ الْأَوَّلِ»  

[Machine] From the Messenger of Allahﷺ that he used to "pray three times on the first rank and once on the second."  

عَنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ أَنَّهُ كَانَ «يُصَلِّي عَلَى الصَّفِّ الْأَوَّلِ الْمُقَدَّمِ ثَلَاثًا وَعَلَى الثَّانِي مَرَّةً»  

It was narrated from Al'Irbad bin Sariyah that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to send Salah on the first row three times and on the second row once. (Using translation from Nasāʾī 817)   

«كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ يُصَلِّي عَلَى الصَّفِّ الْمُقَدَّمِ ثَلَاثًا وَعَلَى الثَّانِي وَاحِدَةً»  

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: Allah and His angels bless those who are on the right flanks of the rows. (Using translation from Abū Dāʾūd 676)  

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ «إِنَّ اللَّهَ وَمَلَائِكَتَهُ يُصَلُّونَ عَلَى مَيَامِنِ الصُّفُوفِ»  

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to pass through the row from one side to the other; he used to set out chests and shoulders in order, and say: Do not be irregular. And he would say: Allah and His angels bless those who are near the first rows. (Using translation from Abū Dāʾūd 664)   

كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ يَمْسَحُ مَنَاكِبَنَا وَصُدُورَنَا وَيَقُولُ «لَا تَخْتَلِفُوا فَتَخْتَلِفَ قُلُوبُكُمْ إِنَّ اللَّهَ وَمَلَائِكَتَهُ يُصَلُّونَ عَلَى الصُّفُوفِ الْمُقَدَّمَةِ»  

Why do you stand in rows as the angels do in the presence of their Lord? We asked: how do the angles stand in rows in the presence of their Lord? He replied: they make the first row complete and keep close together in the row. (Using translation from Abū Dāʾūd 661)   

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ «أَلَا تَصُفُّونَ كَمَا تَصُفُّ الْمَلَائِكَةُ عِنْدَ رَبِّهَا؟ » قَالَ قُلْنَا يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ وَكَيْفَ يَصُفُّونَ الْمَلَائِكَةُ عِنْدَ رَبِّهِمْ؟ قَالَ «يُتِمُّونَ الصُّفُوفَ الْمُقَدِّمَةَ وَيَتَرَاصُّونَ فِي الصَّفِّ»  

“I heard the Messenger of Allah ﷺ say: ‘Allah and the angels send blessings upon the first row.’” (Using translation from Ibn Mājah 997)   

عَنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ قَالَ «إِنَّ اللَّهَ وَمَلَائِكَتَهُ يُصَلُّونَ عَلَى الَّذِينَ يَصِلُونَ الصُّفُوفَ»  

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: Allah and His angels bless those who are on the right flanks of the rows. (Using translation from Abū Dāʾūd 676)   

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ «إِنَّ اللَّهَ وَمَلَائِكَتَهُ يُصَلُّونَ عَلَى الَّذِينَ يَصِلُونَ الصُّفُوفَ»  

“The Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to straighten the rows until he made them like a spear or an arrow-shaft. Once he saw a man’s chest (sticking out) so the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: ‘Make your rows straight or Allah will create division among you.’” (Using translation from Ibn Mājah 994)  

أَنَّهُ سَمِعَ النُّعْمَانَ بْنَ بَشِيرٍ يَقُولُ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ يُسَوِّي الصَّفَّ حَتَّى يَجْعَلَهُ مِثْلَ الْقِدْحِ أَوِ الرُّمْحِ فَرَأَى صَدْرَ رَجُلٍ نَاتِئًا فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ «عِبَادَ اللَّهِ سَوُّوا صُفُوفَكُمْ أَوْ لَيُخَالِفَنَّ اللَّهُ بَيْنَ وُجُوهِكُمْ»  

The Prophet ﷺ said: Stand close together in your rows, bring them near one another, and stand neck to neck, for by Him in Whose hand my soul is, I see the devil coming in through openings in the row just like a small black sheep. (Using translation from Abū Dāʾūd 667)  

أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ قَالَ «رُصُّوا صُفُوفَكُمْ وَقَارِبُوا بَيْنَهَا وَحَاذُوا بِالْأَكْتَافِ فَوَالَّذِي نَفْسِي بِيَدِهِ إِنِّي لَأَرَى الشَّيْطَانَ يَدْخُلُ مِنْ خَلَلِ الصَّفِّ كَأَنَّهَا الْحَذَفُ»  

Hittan ibn Abdullah ar-Ruqashi said: AbuMusa al-Ash'ari led us in prayer. When he sat at the end of his prayer, one of the people said: Prayer has been established by virtue and purity. When AbuMusa returned (from his prayer or finished his prayer), he gave his attention to the people, and said: Which of you is the speaker of such and such words? The people remained silent. Which of you is the speaker of such and such words? The people remained silent. He said: You might have said them, Hittan. He replied: I did not say them. I was afraid you might punish me. One of the people said: I said them and I did not intend by them (anything) except good. AbuMusa said: Do you not know how you utter (them) in your prayer? The Messenger of Allah ﷺ addressed us, and taught us and explained to us our way of doing and taught us our prayer. He said: When you pray a (congregational) prayer, straighten your rows, then one of you should lead you in prayer. When he says the takbir (Allah is Most Great), say the takbir, and when he recites verses "Not of those upon whom is Thy anger, nor of those who err" (i.e. the end of Surah i.), say Amin; Allah will favour you. When he says "Allah is most great," and bows, say "Allah is most great" and bow, for the imam will bow before you, and will raise (his head) before you. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: This is for that. When he says "Allah listens to the one who praises Him," say: "O Allah, our Lord, to Thee be praise, Allah be praised," Allah will listen to you, for Allah, the Exalted, said by the tongue of His Prophet ﷺ: "Allah listens to the one who praises Him." When he says "Allah is most great" and prostrates, say: "Allah is most great" and prostrate, for the imam prostrates before you and raises his head before you. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: This is for that. When he sits, each one of you should say "The adorations of the tongue, all good things, and acts of worship are due to Allah. Peace be upon you, O Prophet, and Allah's mercy and His blessings. Peace be upon us and upon Allah's upright servants. I testify that there is no god but Allah, and I testify that Muhammad is His servant and Apostle." This version of Ahmad does not mention the words "and His blessings" nor the phrase "and I testify"; instead, it has the words "that Muhammad." (Using translation from Abū Dāʾūd 972)   

أَنَّ الْأَشْعَرِيَّ صَلَّى بِأَصْحَابِهِ فَلَمَّا جَلَسَ فِي صَلَاتِهِ قَالَ رَجُلٌ مِنَ الْقَوْمِ أُقِرَّتِ الصَّلَاةُ بِالْبِرِّ وَالزَّكَاةِ؟ فَلَمَّا قَضَى الْأَشْعَرِيُّ صَلَاتَهُ أَقْبَلَ عَلَى الْقَوْمِ فَقَالَ أَيُّكُمُ الْقَائِلُ كَلِمَةَ كَذَا كَذَا؟ فَأَرَمَّ الْقَوْمُ فَقَالَ لَعَلَّكَ يَا حِطَّانُ قُلْتُهَا قَالَ وَاللَّهِ مَا قُلْتُهَا وَلَقَدْ خِفْتُ أَنْ تَبْكَعَنِي بِهَا فَقَالَ رَجُلٌ مِنَ الْقَوْمِ أَنَا قُلْتُهَا وَمَا أَرَدْتُ بِهَا إِلَّا الْخَيْرَ فَقَالَ الْأَشْعَرِيُّ أَمَا تَعْلَمُونَ مَا تَقُولُونَ فِي صَلَاتِكُمْ؟ إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ خَطَبَنَا فَعَلَّمَنَا سُنَّتَنَا وَبَيَّنَ لَنَا صَلَاتَنَا فَقَالَ «إِذَا أُقِيمَتِ الصَّلَاةُ فَأَقِيمُوا صُفُوفَكُمْ وَلْيَؤُمَّكُمْ أَحَدُكُمْ فَإِذَا كَبَّرَ فَكَبِّرُوا وَإِذَا قَالَ {وَلَا الضَّالِّينَ} فَقُولُوا آمِينَ يُجِبْكُمُ اللَّهُ ثُمَّ إِذَا كَبَّرَ فَرَكَعَ فَكَبِّرُوا وَارْكَعُوا فَإِنَّ الْإِمَامَ يَرْكَعُ قَبْلَكُمْ وَيَرْفَعُ قَبْلَكُمْ» قَالَ نَبِيُّ اللَّهِ ﷺ «فَتِلْكَ بِتِلْكَ وَإِذَا قَالَ سَمِعَ اللَّهُ لِمَنْ حَمِدَهُ فَقُولُوا اللَّهُمَّ رَبَّنَا لَكَ الْحَمْدُ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ جَلَّ وَعَلَا قَالَ عَلَى لِسَانِ نَبِيِّهِ ﷺ سَمِعَ اللَّهُ لِمَنْ حَمِدَهُ ثُمَّ إِذَا كَبَّرَ وَسَجَدَ فَكَبِّرُوا وَاسْجُدُوا فَإِنَّ الْإِمَامَ يَسْجُدُ قَبْلَكُمْ وَيَرْفَعُ قَبْلَكُمْ قَالَ نَبِيُّ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَتِلْكَ بِتِلْكَ فَإِذَا كَانَ عِنْدَ الْقَعْدَةِ فَلْيَكُنْ مِنْ قَوْلِ أَحَدِكُمُ التَّحِيَّاتُ الصَّلَوَاتُ لِلَّهِ السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكَ أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ السَّلَامُ عَلَيْنَا وَعَلَى عِبَادِ اللَّهِ الصَّالِحِينَ أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَأَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ»  

[Machine] "Do you know what this is?" We said, "No". He said, "Indeed the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, when he stood up for prayer, would take hold of his right side, then turn around and say, 'Straighten your rows, align your rows.' Then he would take hold of his left side, and say, 'Straighten your rows, align your rows.' When the mosque was demolished, Umar ibn al-Khattab, may Allah be pleased with him, searched for it and found that it was taken by the sons of Amr ibn Awf. They had placed it in their mosque, so he took it back and returned it."  

تَدْرُونَ مَا هَذَا الْعُودُ؟ قُلْنَا لَا قَالَ إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ كَانَ إِذَا قَامَ إِلَى الصَّلَاةِ أَخَذَ بِيَمِينِهِ ثُمَّ الْتَفَتَ فَقَالَ «اعْتَدِلُوا سَوُّوا صُفُوفَكُمْ» ثُمَّ أَخَذَ بِيَسَارِهِ ثُمَّ قَالَ «اعْتَدِلُوا سَوُّوا صُفُوفَكُمْ» فَلَمَّا هُدِمَ الْمَسْجِدُ فُقِدَ فَالْتَمَسَهُ عُمَرُ رِضْوَانُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ فَوَجَدَهُ قَدْ أَخَذَهُ بَنُو عَمْرِو بْنِ عَوْفٍ فَجَعَلُوهُ فِي مَسْجِدِهِمْ فَانْتَزَعَهُ فَأَعَادَهُ  

[Machine] "The Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to straighten the rows as if they were a comb."  

«كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ يُسَوِّي الصُّفُوفَ كَأَنَّمَا بِهَا الْقِدَاحُ»  

[Machine] "When Umar increased in the mosque, they neglected the pillar that was in the direction of prayer. Anas said, 'Do you know why that pillar was placed?' They said, 'No.' He said, 'Indeed, when the Prophetﷺ established the prayer, he would take the pillar with his right hand, then turn and say, "Straighten your rows and align yourselves." Then he would take it with his left hand and turn and say, "Straighten your rows."'"  

أَنَّ عُمَرَ لَمَّا زَادَ فِي الْمَسْجِدِ غَفَلُوا عَنِ الْعُودِ الَّذِي كَانَ فِي الْقِبْلَةِ قَالَ أَنَسٌ «أَتَدْرُونَ لِأَيِّ شَيْءٍ جُعِلَ ذَلِكَ الْعُودُ؟ » فَقَالُوا لَا فَقَالَ إِنَّ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ كَانَ إِذَا أُقِيمَتِ الصَّلَاةُ أَخَذَ الْعُودَ بِيَدِهِ الْيُمْنَى ثُمَّ الْتَفَتَ فَقَالَ «اعْدِلُوا صُفُوفَكُمْ وَاسْتَوُوا» ثُمَّ أَخَذَ بِيَدِهِ الْيُسْرَى ثُمَّ الْتَفَتَ فَقَالَ «اعْدِلُوا صُفُوفَكُمْ»  

Straighten your rows for the straightening of the rows is part of perfecting the prayer. (Using translation from Abū Dāʾūd 668)  

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ «أَتِمُّوا صُفُوفَكُمْ فَإِنَّ تَسْوِيَةَ الصَّفِّ مِنْ تَمَامِ الصَّلَاةِ»  

The Messenger of Allah (may peace he upon him) 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. (Using translation from Muslim 432a)  

كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ يَمْسَحُ مَنَاكِبَنَا فِي الصَّلَاةِ وَيَقُولُ «اسْتَوُوا وَلَا تَخْتَلِفُوا فَتَخْتَلِفَ قُلُوبُكُمْ لِيَلِيَنِّي مِنْكُمْ أُولُو الْأَحْلَامِ وَالنُّهَى ثُمَّ الَّذِينَ يَلُونَهُمْ ثُمَّ الَّذِينَ يَلُونَهُمْ» قَالَ أَبُو مَسْعُودٍ «وَأَنْتُمُ الْيَوْمَ أَشَدُّ اخْتِلَافًا»  

"The Messenger of Allah ﷺturned to face us when he stood up to pray, before he said the Takbir and said: 'Make your rows straight and come close to one another, for I can see you behind my back."' (Using translation from Nasāʾī 814)  

أَقْبَلَ عَلَيْنَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ بِوَجْهِهِ حِينَ قَامَ إِلَى الصَّلَاةِ قَبْلَ أَنْ يُكَبِّرَ فَقَالَ «أَقِيمُوا صُفُوفَكُمْ وَتَرَاصُّوا فَإِنِّي أَرَاكُمْ مِنْ وَرَاءِ ظَهْرِي»  

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: Straighten your rows. for the straightening of a row is a part of the perfection of prayer. (Using translation from Muslim 433)  

عَنِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ قَالَ «سَوُّوا صُفُوفَكُمْ فَإِنُّ تَسْوِيَةُ الصَّفِّ مِنْ تَمَامِ الصَّلَاةِ»  

“The Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to straighten the rows until he made them like a spear or an arrow-shaft. Once he saw a man’s chest (sticking out) so the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: ‘Make your rows straight or Allah will create division among you.’” (Using translation from Ibn Mājah 994)   

سَمِعْتُ النُّعْمَانَ بْنَ بَشِيرٍ وَهُوَ يَخْطُبُ وَيَقُولُ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ يُسَوِّي الصَّفَّ حَتَّى يَدَعَهُ مِثْلَ الْقِدْحِ أَوِ الرُّمْحِ فَرَأَى صَدْرَ رَجُلٍ نَاتِئًا مِنَ الصَّفِّ فَقَالَ «عِبَادَ اللَّهِ لَتُسَوُّنَّ صُفُوفَكُمْ أَوْ لَيُخَالِفَنَّ اللَّهُ بَيْنَ وُجُوهِكُمْ»  

the Messenger of Allah ﷺ paid attention to the people and said three times; straighten your rows (in prayer); by Allah, you must straighten your rows, or Allah will certainly put your faces in contrary directions. I then saw that every person stood in prayer keeping his shoulder close to that of the other, and his knee close to that of the other, and his ankle close to that of the other. (Using translation from Abū Dāʾūd 662)   

سَمِعْتُ النُّعْمَانَ بْنَ بَشِيرٍ يَقُولُ أَقْبَلَ عَلَيْنَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ بِوَجْهِهِ فَقَالَ «أَقِيمُوا صُفُوفَكُمْ ثَلَاثًا وَاللَّهِ لَتُقِيمُنَّ صُفُوفَكُمْ أَوْ لَيُخَالِفَنَّ اللَّهُ بَيْنَ قُلُوبِكُمْ» قَالَ فَرَأَيْتُ الرَّجُلَ يُلْزِقُ كَعْبَهُ بِكَعْبِ صَاحِبِهِ وَمَنْكِبَهُ بِمَنْكِبِ صَاحِبِهِ  

[Machine] The messenger of Allah ﷺ said, "Arrange the rows in prayer, for indeed the straightening of the rows is part of the perfection of prayer."  

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ «أَقِيمُوا الصَّفَّ فِي الصَّلَاةِ فَإِنَّ إِقَامَةَ الصَّفِّ مِنْ حُسْنِ الصَّلَاةِ»  

“The Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to gently pat our shoulders (to make sure the row was straight) at the time of prayer, saying: ‘Keep (the rows) straight, do not differ from one another lest your hearts should suffer from discord. Let those who are forbearing and wise stand closest to me, then those who are next to them, then those who are next to them.’” (Using translation from Ibn Mājah 976)  

كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ يَمْسَحُ مَنَاكِبَنَا فِي الصَّلَاةِ وَيَقُولُ «لَا تَخْتَلِفُوا فَتَخْتَلِفَ قُلُوبُكُمْ وَلْيَلِنِي مِنْكُمْ أُولُو الْأَحْلَامِ وَالنُّهَى ثُمَّ الَّذِينَ يَلُونَهُمْ ثُمَّ الَّذِينَ يَلُونَهُمْ»  

[Machine] The translation is as follows: "Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah's Messenger ﷺ said, 'The best rows for men to offer the Salah (prayer) are the first rows, and the worst ones are the last ones. The best rows for women to offer the Salah are the last ones, and the worst ones are the first ones.'"  

حَدَّثَنَا الْقَعْنَبِيُّ حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الْعَزِيزِ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنِ الْعَلَاءِ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ قَالَ «أَحْسِنُوا إِقَامَةَ الصُّفُوفِ فِي الصَّلَاةِ وَخَيْرُ صُفُوفِ الْقَوْمِ فِي الصَّلَاةِ أَوَّلُهَا وَشَرُّهَا آخِرُهَا وَخَيْرُ صُفُوفِ النِّسَاءِ فِي الصَّلَاةِ آخِرُهَا وَشَرُّهَا أَوَّلُهَا»  

"The Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to gently pat our shoulders (to make sure the row was straight) at the time of prayer, and he would say: 'Keep (the rows) straight; do not differ from one another lest your hearts should suffer from discord. Let those who are mature and wise stand closest to me, then those who are next to them, then those who are next to them."' (Using translation from Nasāʾī 812)   

عَنِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ قَالَ «لِيَلِيَنِّي مِنْكُمْ أُولُو الْأَحْلَامِ وَالنُّهَى ثُمَّ الَّذِينَ يَلُونَهُمْ ثُمَّ الَّذِينَ يَلُونَهُمْ وَلَا تَخْتَلِفُوا فَتَخْتَلِفَ قُلُوبُكُمْ وَإِيَّاكُمْ وَهَيْشَاتِ الْأَسْوَاقِ»  

"While I was in the Masjid in the first row, a man pulled me from behind and moved me aside, and took my place. By Allah, I could not focus on my prayer, then when he left I saw that it was Ubayy bin Ka'b. He said: '0 boy, may Allah protect you from harm. This is what the Prophet instructed us to do, to stand directly behind him.' Then he (Ubayy) turned to face the Qiblah and said: 'Doomed are Ah1 Al-'Uqd, by the Lord of the Ka'bah! - three times.'Then he said: 'By Allah, I am not sad for them, but I am sad for the people whom they have misled.' I said: '0 Abu Ya'qub, what do you mean by Ah1 Al-'Uqd?' He said: 'The rulers."' (Using translation from Nasāʾī 808)   

«يَا ابْنَ أَخِي لَا يَسُؤْكَ اللَّهُ إِنَّ هَذَا عَهْدٌ مِنَ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ إِلَيْنَا أَنْ نَلِيَهُ ثُمَّ اسْتَقْبَلَ الْقِبْلَةَ» وَقَالَ «هَلَكَ أَهْلُ الْعَهْدِ وَرَبِّ الْكَعْبَةِ» ثَلَاثًا ثُمَّ قَالَ «وَاللَّهِ مَا عَلَيْهِمْ آسَى وَلَكِنْ آسَى عَلَى مَنْ أَضَلُّوا» قَالَ قُلْتُ مَنْ يَعْنِي بِهَذَا؟ قَالَ «الْأُمَرَاءَ»  

when any of you prays and takes off his sandals, he should not harm anyone by them. He should place them between his feet or pray with them on (Using translation from Abū Dāʾūd 655)   

عَنِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ قَالَ «إِذَا صَلَّى أَحَدُكُمْ فَخَلَعَ نَعْلَيْهِ فَلَا يُؤْذِ بِهِمَا أَحَدًا وَلْيَجْعَلْهُمَا بَيْنَ رِجْلَيْهِ أَوْ لِيُصَلِّ فِيهِمَا»  

[Machine] The Prophet of Allahﷺ said: "When one of you prays, let him wear his sandals or remove them between his feet, and do not harm them (the sandals) with someone else."  

أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ قَالَ «إِذَا صَلَّى أَحَدُكُمْ فَلْيَلْبَسْ نَعْلَيْهِ أَوْ لِيَخْلَعْهُمَا بَيْنَ رِجْلَيْهِ وَلَا يُؤْذِ بِهِمَا غَيْرَهُ»  

[Machine] "He saw the Prophet peace be upon him praying while wearing worn-out sandals."  

أَنَّهُ «رَأَى النَّبِيَّ ﷺ يُصَلِّي وَعَلَيْهِ نَعْلٌ مَخْصُوفَةٌ»  

[Machine] The Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم prayed with us, and after he finished praying, he took off his sandals and placed them on his left side. The people also took off their sandals. When he finished his prayer, he asked, "Why did you take off your sandals?" They replied, "We saw you take off yours, so we took off ours." He said, "I did not take them off due to any discomfort, but the angel Gabriel informed me that there was some impurity on them. So, when one of you enters the mosque, let him check his sandals. If there is any impurity on them, he should wipe it off."  

صَلَّى بِنَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَلَمَّا صَلَّى خَلَعَ نَعْلَيْهِ فَوَضَعَهُمَا عَنْ يَسَارِهِ فَخَلَعَ الْقَوْمُ نِعَالَهُمْ فَلَمَّا قَضَى صَلَاتَهُ قَالَ «مَا لَكُمْ خَلَعْتُمْ نِعَالَكُمْ؟ » قَالُوا رَأَيْنَاكَ خَلَعْتَ فَخَلَعْنَا قَالَ «إِنِّي لَمْ أَخْلَعْهُمَا مِنْ بَأْسٍ وَلَكِنَّ جِبْرِيلَ أَخْبَرَنِي أَنَّ فِيهِمَا قَذَرًا فَإِذَا أَتَى أَحَدُكُمُ الْمَسْجِدَ فَلْيَنْظُرْ فِي نَعْلَيْهِ فَإِنْ كَانَ فِيهِمَا أَذًى فَلْيَمْسَحْهُ»  

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: Act differently from the Jews, for they do not pray in their sandals or their shoes. (Using translation from Abū Dāʾūd 652)   

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ «خَالِفُوا الْيَهُودَ وَالنَّصَارَى فَإِنَّهُمْ لَا يُصَلُّونَ فِي خِفَافِهِمْ وَلَا فِي نِعَالِهِمْ»  

when any of you prays and takes off his sandals, he should not harm anyone by them. He should place them between his feet or pray with them on (Using translation from Abū Dāʾūd 655)   

أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ قَالَ «إِذَا صَلَّى أَحَدُكُمْ وَخَلَعَ نَعْلَيْهِ فَلْيَجْعَلْهُمَا بَيْنَ رِجْلَيْهِ وَلَا يُؤْذِ بِهِمَا غَيْرَهُ»  

The Prophet ﷺ said: When any of you prays, he should not place his sandals on his right side or on his left so as to be on the right side of someone else, unless no one is at his left, but should place them between his feet. (Using translation from Abū Dāʾūd 654)   

أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ قَالَ «إِذَا صَلَّى أَحَدُكُمْ فَلَا يَضَعْ نَعْلَهُ عَنْ يَمِينِهِ وَلَا عَنْ يَسَارِهِ فَيَكُونُ عَنْ يَمِينِ غَيْرِهِ إِلَّا أَنْ يَكُونَ عَنْ يَسَارِهِ أَحَدٌ وَلْيَضَعْهُمَا بَيْنَ رِجْلَيْهِ»  

"I was with the Messenger of Allah ﷺ on the day of the Conquest (of Makkah). He prayed in front of the Ka'bah. He took off his shoes and placed them to his left, and he started to recite Surat Al-Mu'minun. When he reached the passage that mentions Musa and 'Eisa, peace be upon them both, he started coughing, then he bowed." (Using translation from Nasāʾī 1007)   

«حَضَرْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ يَوْمَ الْفَتْحِ وَصَلَّى فِي الْكَعْبَةِ فَخَلَعَ نَعْلَيْهِ فَوَضَعَهُمَا عَنْ يَسَارِهِ ثُمَّ افْتَتَحَ سُورَةَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ فَلَمَّا بَلَغَ ذِكْرَ عِيسَى أَوْ مُوسَى أَخَذَتْهُ سَعْلَةٌ فَرَكَعَ»  

The Messenger of Allah ﷺas saying: When the iqamah is pronounced for prayer, no prayer is valid except the obligatory prayer. (Using translation from Abū Dāʾūd 1266)   

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ «إِذَا أَخَذَ الْمُؤَذِّنُ فِي الْإِقَامَةِ فَلَا صَلَاةَ إِلَّا الْمَكْتُوبَةَ»  

[Machine] A man entered the mosque after the prayer was performed, and the Prophet ﷺ was still praying, so he prayed two units of prayer and then joined the row. When the Prophet ﷺ finished, he said, "Which of the two did you intend or count for? The one you prayed with us or the one you prayed alone?"  

أَنَّ رَجُلًا دَخَلَ الْمَسْجِدَ بَعْدَمَا أُقِيمَتِ الصَّلَاةُ وَالنَّبِيُّ ﷺ يُصَلِّي فَصَلَّى رَكْعَتَيْنِ ثُمَّ دَخَلَ الصَّفَّ فَلَمَّا انْصَرَفَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ قَالَ «بِأَيَّتِهِمَا اعْتَدَدْتَ أَوْ بِأَيَّتِهِمَا احْتَسَبْتَ؟ الَّتِي صَلَّيْتَ مَعَنَا أَوِ الَّتِي صَلَّيْتَ وَحْدَكَ؟ »  

[Machine] From Abdullah bin Sargis, who had met the Prophet ﷺ , it is narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ observed that a man arrived and prayed two units of prayer behind him for the dawn prayer. Then, he went to join the people. When the Messenger of Allah ﷺ finished his prayer, he asked the man, "Which of the two prayers did you intend, the one you prayed alone or the one you prayed with us?"  

عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ سَرْجِسَ وَكَانَ قَدْ أَدْرَكَ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ صَلَّى الْفَجْرَ فَجَاءَ رَجُلٌ فَصَلَّى خَلْفَهُ رَكْعَتَيِ الْفَجْرِ ثُمَّ دَخَلَ مَعَ الْقَوْمِ فَلَمَّا قَضَى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ صَلَاتَهُ قَالَ لِلرَّجُلِ «أَيُّهُمَا جَعَلْتَ صَلَاتَكَ الَّتِي صَلَّيْتَ وَحْدَكَ أَوِ الَّتِي صَلَّيْتَ مَعَنَا؟ »  

The Messenger of Allah ﷺas saying: When the iqamah is pronounced for prayer, no prayer is valid except the obligatory prayer. (Using translation from Abū Dāʾūd 1266)  

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ «إِذَا أُقِيمَتِ الصَّلَاةُ فَلَا صَلَاةَ إِلَّا الْمَكْتُوبَةَ»  

[Machine] Abu Bakr entered the mosque and found the Prophet ﷺ in the state of Rukoo' (bowing in prayer). Abu Bakr also performed Rukoo' and then proceeded to join the prayer row. The Prophet ﷺ said to him, "May Allah increase your eagerness, but don't repeat this."  

أَنَّ أَبَا بَكْرَةَ دَخَلَ الْمَسْجِدَ وَالنَّبِيُّ ﷺ رَاكِعٌ فَرَكَعَ ثُمَّ مَشَى حَتَّى لَحِقَ بِالصَّفِّ فَقَالَ لَهُ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ «زَادَكَ اللَّهُ حِرْصًا وَلَا تَعُدْ»  

Abu Bakrah said that he came to the mosque when the prophet ﷺ was bowing. So I bowed outside the row (before joining it). The prophet ﷺ said; May Allah increase your eagerness! But do not do it again. (Using translation from Abū Dāʾūd 683)  

أَنَّهُ دَخَلَ الْمَسْجِدَ وَالنَّبِيُّ ﷺ رَاكِعٌ قَالَ فَرَكَعْتُ دُونَ الصَّفِّ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ «زَادَكَ اللَّهُ حِرْصًا وَلَا تَعُدْ»  

“I stayed overnight with my maternal aunt Maimunah, and the Prophet ﷺ got up during the night to perform prayer. So I got up and stood on his left. He took me by the hand and made me stand on his right.” (Using translation from Ibn Mājah 973)   

ابْنُ عَبَّاسٍ «بِتُّ عِنْدَ خَالَتِي مَيْمُونَةَ فَقَامَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ يُصَلِّي فَقُمْتُ أُصَلِّي فَقُمْتُ عَنْ يَسَارِهِ فَأَخَذَ بِرَأْسِي فَأَقَامَنِي عَنْ يَمِينِهِ»  

[Machine] We accompanied the Messenger of Allah ﷺ until we approached the waters of Al-Arab in the evening. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, "Who among you will go ahead of us and reach the pond, drink from it, and then serve us water?" Jabir said, "I stood up and said, 'This man, O Messenger of Allah!' So the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, 'Which man is it with Jabir?' Then Jabbar ibn Sakhr stood up and we went to the well. We drew water from the pond, filling it with a cup or two, and then we passed it around until we were full. The first one who came upon us was the Messenger of Allah ﷺ , and he asked, 'Did you seek permission?' We said, 'Yes, O Messenger of Allah!' He started watering his camel and it drank, then he tied it there, and then drank from the pond himself. I got up and made ablution from the Prophet's ﷺ ablution water. Jabbar ibn Sakhr went to answer the call of nature, and the Messenger of Allah ﷺ stood up to pray. I had a linen garment that I was wearing, and it was hanging between my sides. It did not reach me properly, and it was flapping. I fixed it and tucked it between my sides. Then I came until I stood on the left side of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ . He took my hand and turned me around until I was on his right side. Jabbar ibn Sakhr came and made ablution, then he came and stood on the left side of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ . He took all of us by the hands and moved us back until we were behind him. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ looked at me intensely and I did not realize. Then I became aware and he said, 'Jabir!' I said, 'Here I am, O Messenger of Allah!' He said, 'If your garment is wide, keep it hanging between your sides, and if it is tight, tighten it on your hips.'"  

سِرْنَا مَعَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ حَتَّى إِذَا كُنَّا عَشِيَّةً وَدَنَوْنَا مِنْ مِيَاهِ الْعَرَبِ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ «مَنْ رَجُلٌ يَتَقَدَّمُنَا فَيَرِدُ الْحَوْضَ فَيَشْرَبُ وَيَسْقِينَا؟ » قَالَ جَابِرٌ فَقُمْتُ فَقُلْتُ هَذَا رَجُلٌ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ «أَيُّ رَجُلٍ مَعَ جَابِرٍ؟ » فَقَامَ جَبَّارُ بْنُ صَخْرٍ فَانْطَلَقْنَا إِلَى الْبِئْرِ فَنَزَعْنَا فِي الْحَوْضِ سَجْلًا أَوْ سَجْلَيْنِ ثُمَّ مَدَرْنَاهُ ثُمَّ نَزَعْنَا فِيهِ حَتَّى أَفْهَقْنَاهُ فَكَانَ أَوَّلَ طَالِعٍ عَلَيْنَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَقَالَ «أَتَأْذَنَانِ؟ » قُلْنَا نَعَمْ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ فَأَشْرَعَ نَاقَتَهُ فَشَرِبَتْ ثُمَّ شَنَقَ لَهَا فَبَالَتْ ثُمَّ عَدَلَ بِهَا فَأَنَاخَهَا ثُمَّ جَاءَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ إِلَى الْحَوْضِ فَتَوَضَّأَ مِنْهُ ثُمَّ قُمْتُ فَتَوَضَّأْتُ مِنْ مُتَوَضَّأِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ وَذَهَبَ جَبَّارُ بْنُ صَخْرٍ يَقْضِي حَاجَتَهُ وَقَامَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ يُصَلِّي وَكَانَتْ عَلَيَّ بُرْدَةٌ وَكُنْتُ أُخَالِفُ بَيْنَ طَرَفَيْهَا فَلَمْ تَبْلُغْ لِي وَكَانَتْ لَهَا ذَبَاذِبُ فَنَكَّسْتُهَا ثُمَّ خَالَفْتُ بَيْنَ طَرَفَيْهَا فَجِئْتُ حَتَّى قُمْتُ عَنْ يَسَارِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَأَخَذَ بِيَدِي فَأَدَارَنِي حَتَّى أَقَامَنِي عَنْ يَمِينِهِ وَجَاءَ جَبَّارُ بْنُ صَخْرٍ فَتَوَضَّأَ ثُمَّ جَاءَ فَقَامَ عَنْ يَسَارِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَأَخَذَنَا بِيَدَيْهِ جَمِيعًا فَدَفَعَنَا حَتَّى أَقَامَنَا مِنْ خَلْفِهِ وَجَعَلَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ يَرْمُقُنِي وَأَنَا لَا أَشْعُرُ ثُمَّ فَطِنْتُ فَقَالَ هَكَذَا وَأَشَارَ بِيَدِهِ شُدَّ فَلَمَّا فَرَغَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ قَالَ «يَا جَابِرُ» قُلْتُ لَبَّيْكَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ قَالَ «إِذَا كَانَ ثَوْبُكَ وَاسِعًا فَخَالِفْ بَيْنَ طَرَفَيْهِ وَإِنْ كَانَ ضَيِّقًا فَاشْدُدْهُ عَلَى حَقْوِكَ»  

"Ziyad bin Abi Al-Ja'd took me by the hand while we were in Ar Raqqah, he made me stand before a Shaikh who was called Wabisah bin Ma'bad, from Bani Asad. Ziyad said: 'This Shaikh narrated to me that a prayed alone behind the row' - and the Shaikh was listening - 'so Messenger of Allah ordered him to repeat the Salat.'" (Using translation from Tirmidhī 230)   

«أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ رَأَى رَجُلًا يُصَلِّي وَحْدَهُ خَلْفَ الصُّفُوفِ فَأَمَرَهُ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ أَنْ يُعِيدَ الصَّلَاةَ»  

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ saw a man praying alone behind the row. He ordered him to repeat. Sulayman ibn Harb said: The prayer. (Using translation from Abū Dāʾūd 682)   

«أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ رَأَى رَجُلًا يُصَلِّي خَلْفَ الصَّفِّ وَحْدَهُ فَأَمَرَهُ فَأَعَادَ الصَّلَاةَ»  

"A man prayed alone behind the row s the Prophet ordered him to repeat the Salat." (Using translation from Tirmidhī 231)   

أَنَّ «رَجُلًا صَلَّى خَلْفَ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ وَحْدَهُ لَمْ يَتَّصِلْ بِأَحَدٍ فَأَمَرَهُ أَنْ يُعِيدَ الصَّلَاةَ»  

"A man prayed alone behind the row s the Prophet ordered him to repeat the Salat." (Using translation from Tirmidhī 231)  

أَنَّ «رَجُلًا صَلَّى خَلْفَ الصَّفِّ وَحْدَهُ فَأَمَرَهُ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ أَنْ يُعِيدَ الصَّلَاةَ»