Standing to the Imam's Right and Left When the Mosque Is Cramped

Question

In the mosque, because of the lack of space, two rows cannot be formed; so [the followers] form a row to the right and left of the imam, leaving [the space] behind [him] empty. Is the prayer valid this way or not? [Diagram: a single line — “first row: muqtadi — imam — muqtadi”; the imam stands in the middle, with one muqtadi on his right and one on his left.]

Answer

Very strong emphasis has come regarding filling the row and closing up empty space. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: [ar]أقيموا الصفوف، وحاذوا بين المناكب، وسدوا الخلل، ولينوا بأيديكم إخوانكم، لا تذروا فرجات للشيطان، من وصل صفًّا وصله الله، ومن قطع صفًّا قطعه الله[/ar] “Straighten the rows, align the shoulders, close the gaps, be pliant in the hands of your brothers, and do not…

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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