Assalamu Alaikum, My friend has asked the following question: Can anyone enlighten me on this please… A jamath prayer is going on and you are joining it, but find that there is no room in the first ‘Saf’. Can you pray behind them by yourself forming a second ‘Saf’. I have come across many people bringing back a member of the first ‘Saf’ to join them so that they will not be alone in the second ‘Saf. Any quotes of Hadith or Sunnah will be welcome please. May Allah guide us. Ameen!
Answer
(Fatwa: 947/893=D/1429)
It is better not to stand in back row alone in salah. One should take any musalli from the front row and make him stand with him. But this ruling is applicable only when people are aware of it; so that on one who is taken back does not spoil his salah or start quarrelling due to ignorance of the ruling. Commonly, people are not aware of such kinds of rulings. Also, many new musallis keep on joining the congregation, due to this very reason it is better not to take a musalli from the front row.
Allah (Subhana Wa Ta’ala) knows Best
Darul Ifta,
Darul Uloom Deoband