Straightening the rows and joining the feet in congregational prayer: an abandoned sunnah that must be revived!
Shaykh Muhammad naasir ud-deen al-albaanee [translated by oways al-haashimee from silsilatul-ahadeethis-saheehah vol. 1 pp70-74, hadeeth no. 31 and 32; slightly edited.]
There are many authentic ahadeeth from the Prophet (sallaallahu alayhi wa sallam) concerned with the command to straighten the rows (for congregational prayer), and so this is rarely hidden from any of the students of (Islaamic) knowledge let alone their teachers. However it remains unknown to many that straightening the rows requires straightening it with the feet, not just the shoulders. Indeed we have often heard some of the Imaams of the Masaajid (mosques) pointing out – when ordering the people to straighten the rows - that the Sunnah is to do so with the shoulders to the exclusion of the feet!
Since this is contrary to what is established in the authentic Sunnah, I thought it necessary to mention some ahadeeth that exist on this topic, as a reminder for whoever wishes to act in accordance with the authentic Sunnah. There are two authentic ahadeeth on this topic: The first is the hadeeth reported by Anas, and the second is that reported by An-Nu'maan ibn Basheer, (RA).
The hadeeth of Anas ibn Maalik (RA).
The hadeeth is reported by Bukhari, Ahmad, and al-Mukhall is in al-Fawaa'id, all of them reporting via a number of transmission paths from Humayd at-Taweel who said Anas ibn Maalik (RA) narrated to us saying: "The call for commencing of salaah was made, the Messenger of A1laah (sallaallaahu 'alayhi wasallam) turned to us and said "Straighten your rows and come close together, for indeed I see you behind my back" A1-Bukhaaree adds in one narration of this hadeeth: "(He turned to us and said) before pronouncing the opening takbeer ... " Also adding at the end: "...each of us would adjoin his shoulder with that of his companion (standing next to him) and his foot with that of his companion."
This addition also occurs in the report of al-Mukhall is and Ibn Abee Shaybah with the following wording: Anas said: "...So I saw each of us adjoining our shoulder with those of our companions and also (adjoining) our feet with those of our' companions, but if you were to practice this today, a person would flee (from you) like a restless mule." Its chain of narration (sanad) is also saheeh according to the conditions stipulated by the two Shaykhs (al-Bukhaaree and Muslim). AI-Bukhaaree gave a chapter heading for this hadeeth by saying:"Chapter: 'Adjoining the shoulder with the shoulder and the foot with the foot in the row (for prayer)!"
The hadeeth of an-Nu'maan ibn Basheer
The hadeeth has been selected by Aboo Dawood, Ibn Hibbaan, Ahmad etc from Abil-Qaasirn al-Jadalee Husayn ibnil-Haarith who said; I heard an-Nu'maan ibn Basheer (RA) say: "The Messenger of Allaah turned to us and said: "Straighten your rows (he said it three times),by Allaah either you straighten your rows or Allaah will cause conflict between your hearts". Then an-Nu'maan ibn Basheer added: ".So I saw each man joining his shoulder; knee and ankle with that of his companion."
The sanad of this hadeeth is saheeh, al-Bukhaaree quoted it in discontinuous (mu'allaq) form in a decided manner (indicating that he considered it authentic). Ibn Khuzaymah also connected its chain of narration in his Saheeh and aI-Mundhiree and al-Haafidh both confirmed this. The text of the hadeethis also reported by ad-Dhahaabee and is useful for the purpose of supporting reports (mutaab'aat).
The Fiqh of these Ahadeeth
In these two ahadeeth there are a number of important points of benefit and fiqh.
First is the obligation to straighten the rows for salaah and to stand close together in them, due to the command mentioned in the ahadeeth. The rule concerning such commands is that they constitute an obligation (wujoob) except if accompanying evidence (qareenah) proves otherwise as is well established in the science of fiqh principles. The qareenah here in fact emphasizes the obligation, and that is in the saying of the Prophet (sallaallaahu alayhiwa sallam): "... or Allaah will cause conflict between your hearts", since such a warning is never given for something which is not obligatory.
Join the feet and the shoulder
Second is that the forming and straightening of the rows mentioned in the hadeeth is only achieved by joining the shoulder and the side of ones foot with the shoulder and foot of the adjacent person. This is because that is what the Companions (RA) did when ordered to straighten the rows and stand close together in them.
Hence al-Haafidh (ibn Hajar) said in al-Fath after mentioning the additional saying of Anas in the first hadeeth: "This (wording) is an explicit explanation that the mentioned action (of the Companions) was done in the time of the Prophet (sallaallaahu alayhi wasallam). With this in mind the usage of this action as a pretext for explaining what straightening the row means becomes complete." This is sufficient amongst Ahlus-Sunnah to affirm the legitimacy of this practice, because the witness sees what the absent does not. And the Companions are people whose followers will never be wretched (unsuccessful).
It is regrettable that many Muslims have neglected this Sunnah of straightening the row, or rather they have lost it altogether, except for a few of them. This is because most of their madhaahib (schools of fiqh thought) state that the Sunnah in this regard is that a space of four fingers width should be kept between one's feet, and more than this is disliked, as is detailed in al-Fiqh 'alal-Madhaahib al-Arba'ah[1/207]. This spacing has no foundation in the Sunnah; rather it is based on mere opinion. If it were correct then it would be necessary to restrict this practice to the Imaam and the one praying on his own so that the authentic Sunnah (of standing close in the row) would not be opposed with this practice.
A Clear Miracle
Third is that in the first hadeeth there is an affirmation of a clear miracle (mu'jizah) given to the Prophet (sallaallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam), and that was his ability to see behind him without turning his head. However it should be known that this was exclusively for the Prophet (sallaallaahu 'alayhi wasallam) when he was in Salaah since nothing exists in the Sunnah that states that he used to see behind him without turning his head outside the Salaah. And Allaah knows best.
Fourth is that in the two ahadeeth there is a clear proof for something that many people do not know about, although it has become recognized in the field of psychology. That is the fact that outer (apparent) evil and corruption affects inner evil and corruption and vice versa. There are many ahadeeth about this, perhaps we will undertake the task of gathering and referencing them at some later opportunity if Allaah, the Most High wishes.
The fifth and final point is that the entering of the Imaam into the opening takbeer for prayer when the mu'ahddhin says 'The Prayer is about to start ... ' (qadqaamati-salaah) is an innovation in the religion (bid'ah) due to its contradicting the authentic Sunnah, as these ahadeeth prove - especially the first one. The ahadeeth show us that after the iqaamahh as been called there is a duty upon the Imaam which he must fulfil, and that is commanding the people to straighten the rows, reminding them of that, for he is responsible for them and will be asked."... And all of you are shepherds and all of you will be asked about your flock” (Bukhari)
In short I appeal to the Muslims - especially the Imaams of the Masaajid, those who are concerned to follow the Prophet (sallaallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam),and to acquire the virtue of reviving his Sunnah, I appeal to them to act by this Sunnah, have concern for it, and call the people to it until they unify upon it, and by what they will be saved from that warning"... or Allaah will cause conflict between your hearts."