(194) Chapter: The Excellence of Standing in the First Row (In Salat)

Ibn 'Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) reported:
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Arrange the rows in order, stand shoulder to shoulder, close the gaps, be accommodating to your brothers, and do not leave gaps for Satan. Whoever joins up a row, he will be joined to Allah (i.e., to the Mercy of Allah); and whoever cuts off a row, he will be cut off from Allah (i.e., from His Mercy)."

[Abu Dawud].

Commentary: This Hadith also tells us about the straightening of rows. Here the phrase "be accommodating to your brothers'' means that one must cooperate with him who tries to set the rows in order, and rather than feeling annoyance on his action, one should happily set the rows right according to his instructions. This Hadith tells us that leaving gaps in rows amounts to leaving space for Satan to get in them. To join rows means that no space should be left between the two persons who stand in a line. Similarly, a second row should not be started without completing the first one. To break a row means to leave space in it or start the second row without completing the first."Break him and Join him" can be the words of prayer as well as imprecation, for what they mean is "May Allah join him or break him.'' This is a prayer from the Prophet (PBUH) for the person who straightens the rows as well as an imprecation for the one who breaks the rows.