JOINING ANKELS IN PRAYER BY:SHAYKH AL UTHYMEEN (R.A)

 

 

 

لقاءات الباب المفتوح

 

**Straightening the Rows in Prayer**

 

 

 

 

**Question:**

 

*Respected Sheikh, when the Imam says,

 

"Straighten your rows and stand properly," does it mean aligning the row and making it straight, or does it also include closing the gaps, placing feet together, and shoulders aligned? Also, what is the authenticity of the hadith where the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "Straighten your rows, or else Allah will cause discord among your faces"?

This issue has become a matter of negligence and extremism, so we hope for clarification. May Allah preserve you.*

 

**Answer:**

 

First, we must understand that the Imam has a responsibility to straighten the rows by instructing the people to do so. If they do not comply, he should personally adjust those who are out of alignment—whether they are too far forward or backward—because our Prophet, leader, and example, Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family), used to straighten the rows as if aligning arrows. He would walk through the rows, adjusting shoulders and chests, commanding them to stand straight. I do not know if people still practice this today. In fact, if people saw an Imam doing this now, they might even shout at him. Yet, the Sunnah of the Prophet (peace be upon him) is more deserving of being followed.

 

The key point is that the Imam must pay attention to straightening the rows. He should turn to his right, face the people, then turn to his left and say:

*"Straighten your rows, align yourselves, do not differ lest your hearts differ, stand close, and fill the gaps."* All these phrases have been narrated from the Prophet (peace be upon him).

 

One day, the Prophet (peace be upon him) came out after the people had learned to straighten their rows, and they were doing so. However, he noticed a man whose chest was slightly protruding forward, so he said: *"O servants of Allah! Straighten your rows, or else Allah will cause discord among your faces."* This is an authentic hadith with a stern warning.

 

The phrase *"Allah will cause discord among your faces"* has two possible meanings:

 

1. **Literal:** Allah may turn a person’s face sideways so that it faces their shoulder (we seek refuge in Allah).

 

2. **Metaphorical:** Allah will cause differences in their opinions and hearts, leading to disunity, as mentioned in another hadith: *"Do not differ, lest your hearts differ."*

 

In any case, whether it refers to physical disfigurement or discord in hearts, it is a severe warning. This shows that the Imam must take the straightening of rows seriously.

 

However, if the Imam turns and sees that the row is already straight, properly aligned, and without gaps, should he still say, *"Straighten your rows"*? The apparent ruling is that he should **not** say it in this case. For example, if there are only two men behind him and he sees that they are properly aligned and standing correctly, there is no need to say it because the instruction has a purpose and is not just a casual remark.

 

If the Imam says, *"Straighten your rows,"* and sees that they have not done so, he should repeat the instruction and not begin the prayer until the rows are properly aligned. Did you not know that the Commander of the Faithful, Umar (may Allah be pleased with him), and later Uthman, when the congregation grew large, appointed assistants to walk through the rows and straighten them? Only when the assistant reported that the rows were straight would the Imam begin the prayer.

 

All of this demonstrates the importance that Shariah places on straightening the rows. Placing feet together and aligning shoulders serves two purposes:

 

1. **Proper alignment.**

 

2. **Closing gaps**, because if you leave space between yourself and the person next to you, devils will enter through these gaps and disrupt people’s prayers.

 

 *Series of Open Door Sessions > Open Door Session [62]*

 

**Audio Link:**

 

https://sounds.binothaimeen.net/storage/uploads/ftawamp3/od_062_03.mp3

 

 

**Question:**

 

Is it necessary for straightening the rows (in prayer) that the feet are touching each other without any gaps, or is alignment sufficient?

 

 

**Answer:**

 

Alignment is obligatory. However, the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) used to press their heels against each other and their shoulders against one another to achieve two things: closeness and alignment.

 

As for what some people do today—spreading their legs so that their heels touch, sometimes even bending their feet to ensure the heels meet—this has no basis in the Sunnah. It is a misunderstanding, a mistake. We have observed them spreading their legs so that they touch, but their shoulders remain apart, making the row look like pyramids—wide at the bottom and narrow at the top. Where did this come from? If we understand the text correctly—"he presses his heel against his companion’s heel and his shoulder against his shoulder"—this contradicts such an action.

 

Therefore, we warn our young students of knowledge against hastily interpreting texts contrary to the intent of Allah and His Messenger.

 

We advise them to look to the scholars who are older, more experienced, and have a stronger understanding of the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Messenger.

 

**Questioner:** So if the feet do not touch, is that permissible?

 

**Shaykh:** Yes, it is permissible, but there should not be a large gap. For example, if your shoulder touches your companion’s shoulder, your feet may naturally be close together without pressing them forcefully, and this is not a problem.

 

**Source:** *Series of Open Door Sessions > Open Door Session [176]*

 

**Audio Clip Link:**

 

https://sounds.binothaimeen.net/storage/uploads/ftawamp3/od_176_18.mp3

 

 

**Ruling on Heel-to-Heel Contact in Prayer**

 

**Question:**

 

I kindly request your esteemed opinion on the correct Islamic ruling regarding placing one's feet adjacent to those of the person next to them in prayer.

 

**Answer:**

 

The Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) used to stand in prayer rows with their heels touching each other and their shoulders aligned.

 

This was done for two purposes:

 

1. **Achieving Alignment**

 

2. **Closing Gaps**

 

The act of touching heels was not an objective in itself but rather a means to achieve proper alignment and closeness in the row. Based on this, it becomes clear that some people nowadays spread their legs apart and bend their feet inward just to make their heels touch—this has no basis in the Sunnah. The Companions never said that a person should spread his legs to touch the heel of the one next to him. Rather, they said that they would stand close together until one’s heel touched the other’s.

 

However, some people do not carefully reflect on the texts to understand their intended meaning.

 

Otherwise, no one could claim that the instruction means a person should spread his legs while keeping the upper body apart—this is impossible, and no one holds this view.

 

 *Series of Monthly Gatherings* >

*Monthly Gathering [66]*

 

**Audio Link:**

 

https://sounds.binothaimeen.net/storage/uploads/ftawamp3/mm_066_20.mp3

 

 

 

**Question:** What is the correct method for arranging the rows (in prayer)? And is it prescribed for the worshiper to align his heel with the heel of the person next to him? Please advise us, may you be rewarded.

 

**Answer:** The correct view is that the established method for straightening the rows is aligning the heels with one another, not the tips of the toes. This is because the body is supported on the heels, and toes vary in length—some people have long feet while others have short feet—so proper alignment can only be achieved by matching the heels.

 

As for pressing the heels together, there is no doubt that this was practiced by the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them). They would straighten the rows by pressing their heels together, meaning each person would align his heel with the heel of his neighbor to ensure proper alignment and straightening of the row. This action is not an objective in itself but rather a means to achieve alignment, as mentioned by scholars. Therefore, once the rows are formed and people stand (for prayer), each person should align his heel with his neighbor’s heel to achieve uniformity. However, this does not mean one must maintain this contact throughout the entire prayer.

 

An exaggeration in this matter is what some people do by pressing their heel against their neighbor’s heel while spreading their feet apart, creating a gap between their shoulders, which contradicts the Sunnah. The objective is for both shoulders and heels to be aligned.

 

_________________________

 

**Source:** *Majmoo’ Fatawa wa Rasail of Sheikh Muhammad ibn Salih al-Uthaymeen*, Volume 13 - Chapter on the Rulings of Prayer Rows.

 

**Refrence :** *Fatawa Arkan al-Islam*, Question No. 234*

 

 

 

**Is it required to align the toes of worshippers next to each other when straightening the rows in prayer?**

 

**Question:**

 

A discussion arose between me and some brothers regarding an issue some committed young men engage in. I seek a decisive answer that may benefit me and others. I prayed in the Haram (the Sacred Mosque in Mecca), and next to me was a young man who aligned himself with me and placed his toes on mine. Every time I moved away, he followed me until I had to place one foot over the other without exaggeration. After the prayer, I said to him: *"Brother, I know you did this only to follow the Sunnah, but do you realize that this action contradicts the Sunnah? What is mentioned in Sahih al-Bukhari from the practice of the Companions is aligning the ankles, not the toes.

 

Secondly, by doing this, your feet deviate from the direction of the Qiblah, as they form a 'seven' shape. Thirdly, I came to pray this single prayer in the Haram, and you took away the most important aspect for me—khushu' (devotion), which is a pillar of prayer. Pressing toes together is not a Sunnah; even if aligning the ankles were done, it should not override the pillar of khushu'."*

 

My respected Sheikh: Am I correct or mistaken? I see some brothers in this mosque doing this, and I feel uneasy about the situation with my brother. Some brothers here apply certain Sunnahs even if they disturb those next to them. I ask Allah to forgive me if I erred and to benefit me and those present with your knowledge. May Allah keep you steadfast in obedience.

 

**Answer:**

 

This is indeed an important question because the brother who acted this way in the Sacred Mosque likely intended nothing but to follow the Sunnah. However, Imam Ahmad (may Allah have mercy on him) once said a profound statement we should keep in mind: *"Most of people's mistakes stem from misinterpretation (Ta’weel) and Analogy (qiyas)."* Misinterpretation refers to misunderstanding texts despite intending the truth, while analogy involves comparing matters incorrectly. He spoke the truth.

 

If you examine scholarly disagreements, you’ll find they mostly revolve around these two issues:

 

1. **Misinterpretation**—misunderstanding the evidence.

 

2. **Faulty analogy**—applying incorrect comparisons.

 

There is no doubt that the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) followed the Prophet’s (peace be upon him) command to straighten and tightly align the rows, to the point where one would press his ankle against his brother’s ankle and his shoulder against his brother’s shoulder. The purpose was to achieve alignment and closeness, leaving no gaps for Satan. This is the objective—not to cause discomfort. However, some misunderstood that pressing ankles together was an end in itself, a Sunnah of prayer, so they would spread their feet wide just to align ankles while their shoulders remained apart. This is a mistake in interpretation.

 

The correct understanding is that at the beginning of prayer, the Imam should instruct alignment and closeness, so people stand shoulder-to-shoulder and ankle-to-ankle—without causing distraction or harm—just enough to achieve tightness, preventing Satan from slipping between them and ensuring equality in the row.

 

As for chasing one’s neighbor in prayer (as the questioner described), this is not from the Sunnah. One tries to escape, the other follows—this is unnecessary. The questioner even mentioned that the brother placed his toe on his toe to the point where he almost had to cross his feet to avoid him. This is excessive (may Allah forgive us).

The Sunnah is that at the start of prayer, people should stand close, aligning ankles and shoulders, then allow each other some ease—since alignment has already been achieved.

 

Subhanallah! Contrary to what the brother mentioned, some people leave wide gaps between themselves and others, allowing Satan to enter. If you try to follow the Sunnah by standing closer, they get upset and resist! At least if they were upset but complied—but they stubbornly keep a gap of four fingers or a handspan. This is also wrong and contrary to the Sunnah.

 

**An important side note:** If two men pray together (one leading the other), should they stand aligned or should the Imam step forward?

 

The answer: They should stand aligned, neither stepping forward, as stepping forward contradicts the Sunnah. This is based on the hadith of Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him), who stood to the left of the Prophet (peace be upon him) in prayer, and the Prophet moved him to his right without stepping forward himself.

 

The questioner also mentioned that he lost khushu' (devotion) due to his brother’s actions, calling it a "pillar" of prayer.

 

The correct view is that khushu' is not a pillar but a highly emphasized Sunnah. Considering it obligatory would impose undue hardship, as complete focus from start to finish is difficult. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said that when the call to prayer is made, Satan flees, but afterward, he returns to whisper distractions, making a person unaware of how much he has prayed. This shows that whispers do not invalidate prayer but diminish its reward—one may leave prayer with only half, a quarter, or a tenth of its reward based on his khushu'.

 

**Another important reminder:** Some Imams neglect straightening the rows, merely repeating phrases like *"Straighten the rows… align!"* without checking for gaps or misalignment. This is a failure in their duty.

 

Abu Dawud recorded that the Prophet (peace be upon him) would straighten the rows by adjusting shoulders and chests from one end to the other.

 

An-Nu’man ibn Bashir (may Allah be pleased with him) said: *"The Prophet (peace be upon him) would straighten our rows as if straightening arrows."*

 

In the time of Umar and Uthman (may Allah be pleased with them), due to the large congregations, they appointed people to check the rows before starting the prayer. This is a crucial duty of the Imam—he should not begin until the rows are perfectly aligned.

 

Subhanallah! The brother’s experience contrasts with the ignorance of some who, when only two people pray (Imam and follower), still say *"Straighten the rows!"* when there is only one row! Some people swing between extremes—either excessive strictness or negligence.

 

The Imam should say *"Straighten the rows,"* observe them, and if he sees misalignment, advise them as the Prophet (peace be upon him) did when he saw a man’s chest protruding, saying: *"O servants of Allah! Straighten your rows, or Allah will create discord among your hearts."*

 

Some Imams claim *"Allah does not look at a crooked row,"* but this is not a hadith and should not be attributed to the Prophet (peace be upon him). It is sufficient to say what the Prophet said when seeing misalignment.

 

**Questioner:** Does letting one’s garment hang below the ankles invalidate prayer?

 

**Sheikh:** Letting one’s garment drag below the ankles is undoubtedly a major sin, as the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: *"What is below the ankles is in the Fire."* Scholars differ on whether prayer in such a state is valid:

 

- Some say it is valid but sinful.

 

- Others say it is invalid due to wearing prohibited clothing.

 

The stronger view is that the prayer is valid, but the person is sinful for letting his garment drag.

 

If the Imam prolongs saying *"Straighten the rows"* or gives unnecessary advice, it is excessive. However, if he takes time to properly align the rows, worshippers should not feel impatient.

 

**Source:** *Monthly Gatherings Series – Session

 

**Audio Link:**

https://sounds.binothaimeen.net/storage/uploads/ftawamp3/mm_004_12.mp3

 

 

 

**Invaluable words of Sheikh Bakr Abu Zayd (May Allah have Mercy on him) Regarding this matter. He said in his book *No New Innovations in the Rulings of Prayer*:**

 

 

"Join the first row, then the next, and complete them."

 

Among the phrases related to this are:

 

- **‘Complete the first row, then the next.’**

 

- **‘Whoever joins a row, Allah will join him (with His mercy), and whoever cuts off a row, Allah will cut him off (from His mercy).’**

 

Alongside this, there are **neglected Sunnahs**, such as:

 

- Supplicating and seeking forgiveness for the front row three times, then the next row twice.

 

- The imam moving to adjust the row.

 

- Sending men to straighten the rows.

 

And other aspects of the Prophetic guidance in achieving these three objectives for the row:

 

1. Straightening it.

 

2. Filling its gaps.

 

3. Completing the first row, then the next.

 

All of this indicates the **great importance** of straightening the rows in establishing the prayer, perfecting it, and beautifying it. It carries immense virtue, reward, and fosters harmony and unity among hearts—as affirmed by the texts. This blessed Ummah has been distinguished and honored by having its prayer rows likened to the rows of angels. All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds.

 

 

**Innovated Practices Without Basis**

 

 

Among the newly introduced practices regarding straightening rows—**without any valid evidence**—is what we see from some worshippers:

 

- If they are on the **right side of the row**, they press their right foot against their neighbor’s right foot.

 

- If they are on the **left side of the row**, they press their left foot against their neighbor’s left foot.

 

- They twist their heels to press them against their neighbor’s heels.

 

This is an **exaggerated and excessive** application of the Sunnah, and it is **contradicted by two points**:

 

**First:**

 

The correct alignment is **toward the imam**. Whoever is on the right side of the row should align to the left (toward the imam). This is how worshippers should stand shoulder-to-shoulder, in a straight line, filling gaps, aligning necks, shoulders, and heels, and completing the first row, then the next.

 

However, pressing one’s right foot (if on the right side of the row) against the right foot of the neighbor, twisting the foot to achieve "perfect sticking," is a **clear mistake**, an **obvious strain**, and an **innovated understanding** that leads to extremism in applying the Sunnah. It causes:

 

- Unnecessary difficulty and discomfort.

 

- Occupying oneself with what was not legislated.

 

- Creating gaps between worshippers (as they shift positions when standing or prostrating).

 

- Missing the Sunnah of pointing the toes toward the Qiblah.

 

- Wrongfully encroaching on another’s prayer space.

 

 

This is an **innovation**, introducing something not prescribed.

 

 **Second:**

 

When the Prophet (peace be upon him) commanded aligning shoulders and heels, he **also commanded aligning necks**, as in the hadith of Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) reported by Al-Nasa’i (814). All of this means:

 

- Straightening the row.

 

- Ensuring alignment.

 

- Filling gaps.

 

It **does not mean forcefully pressing body parts together**, because:

 

- Pressing neck-to-neck is impossible.

 

- Pressing shoulder-to-shoulder in every standing position is an obvious strain.

 

- Pressing knee-to-knee is impossible.

 

- Pressing heel-to-heel involves unnecessary hardship, exertion, and distraction in every rak’ah.

 

Thus, it becomes clear that alignment in the **four parts** (neck, shoulder, knee, and heel) serves **one purpose**:

 

- Encouraging straight rows.

 

- Ensuring uniformity.

 

- Closing gaps without bending or separation.

 

This achieves the **objective of the Lawgiver**.

 

 

 **Ibn Hajar’s Explanation**

 

Al-Hafiz Ibn Hajar (may Allah have mercy on him) said:

 

*"Straightening the rows means standing in a uniform line or filling gaps in the row..."*

 

 

This is the **correct understanding** of the texts on straightening rows, as in the hadith of Al-Nu’man ibn Bashir (may Allah be pleased with him), who said:

 

*"The Prophet (peace be upon him) would straighten us in the rows like arrows are straightened. One day, he turned and saw a man sticking his chest out (disrupting the row). He said:

'Straighten your rows, or Allah will cause discord among your faces.'"* (Reported by most scholars except Al-Bukhari; wording from Abu Dawud, 649).

 

This shows the **Companion’s understanding** of straightening: **alignment and filling gaps**, not forcefully pressing shoulders and heels together.

 

Thus, when Al-Bukhari (may Allah have mercy on him) titled a chapter in his *Sahih*:

 

*"Chapter: Pressing Shoulder-to-Shoulder and Foot-to-Foot in the Row,"*

And quoted Al-Nu’man ibn Bashir:

 

*"I saw one of us pressing his heel against his companion’s heel,"*

 

Ibn Hajar commented:

 

*"This refers to being diligent in straightening the row and filling gaps."*

 

The evidence for the correctness of Ibn Hajar’s understanding is that Al-Nu’man ibn Bashir’s statement—which Al-Bukhari cited as a suspended narration—was fully transmitted by Abu Dawud in his *Sunan* (648) and Ibn Khuzaymah...

 

 

AHMADTRINI[

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