Complete the front row first, then the one following it. If there is any deficiency (in the rows), let it be in the last row

Arabic text

عَنْ أَنَسِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ: «أَتِمُّوا الصَّفَّ المُقَدَّمَ، ثُمَّ الَّذِي يَلِيهِ، فَمَا كَانَ مِنْ نَقْصٍ فَلْيَكُنْ فِي الصَّفِّ المُؤَخَّرِ».

Translation

Anas ibn Mālik (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: "Complete the front row first, then the one following it. If there is any deficiency (in the rows), let it be in the last row."

Explanation

The Prophet (ﷺ) commanded the men praying in congregation to complete the first row, then to complete the row behind it, and so on. If there is any deficiency in a row, let that deficiency be in the last row.

Benefits

• Clarification of the Sunnah regarding straightening the rows (in prayer).
• Worshippers should not leave gaps in the front rows; rather, any deficiency should be in the last row.

Topics

• Jurisprudence and Juristic Principles
• Jurisprudence of Acts of Worship
• Prayer
• Virtue and Rulings of Congregational Prayer