Go for the GOLD! Pray in the FIRST Row!

by Asma bint Shameem

Aah. The first row...

What I would do to pray in the first row of the congregation.

So immense is the reward and so great is its virtue that it makes me compete with my sisters to pray there and try hard to beat them to it. 

But sadly, I see many of us don't know it's value. 

When I walk into the masjid, I see people praying but they are scattered everywhere....a few here, a few there. 

Almost always, there are several broken rows with huge gaps in between them, and the first row is usually only partially complete. 

What's worse is that when the people are asked to move forward to complete the first row, no one wants to move! 

Many people are reluctant and look at you weirdly when requested to complete the rows. 

So what's so special about praying in the first row? 

Here are some of the virtues. 

🌷It's the instructions of the Prophet ﷺ

🍃He ﷺ said:

“Complete the first row, then the next one, and if there is to be any incomplete row let it be the last row.” (Ahmad, Abu Dawood- Saheeh by al-Albaani)

To fill the first rows means, NOT to start a new row unless ALL the gaps in the front one are completely filled.

Just look how the Prophet ﷺ is giving special, specific instructions for us to complete the first row first. 

He is instructing us to do this, loud and clear, so it must be good for us. 

That's what Imaan in the Prophet ﷺ entails...that we obey him in whatever he says; that we follow his instructions in all that he advises. 

And if the Prophet ﷺ is telling us to complete the first row first, then so be it. 

We will do as he says. 

And even if there wasn't any other reason besides this one, to complete the first row, the order of the Prophet ﷺ is enough for us. 

🌷Unimaginable rewards

🍃The Prophet ﷺ said:

"If the people knew what [great blessings were] in the call to Prayer and in the first row, the people would COMPETE with one another to call the Adhaan and to be in the first row, and if they found no way to decide [who would be allowed to make the call to Prayer or to be in the first row] except by drawing lots, then they would draw lots." 

(al-Bukhaari, Muslim) 

Subhaan Allaah! 

So great a reward that we would draw lots to achieve a place in the first row! 

What immense reward that must be! 

One can only imagine....

🌷It's the way of the Angels!

When the angels pray, they too form rows like we do. 

However they fill the first row first and do not leave it incomplete. 

Now let me ask you this.....Wouldn't you like to pray as the angels do? 

🍃Jabir bin Samurah radhi Allaahu anhu reported: 

“The Messenger of Allaah ﷺ came out to us (once) and said, "Why do you not stand in rows as the angels do before their Rabb?'' 

We asked: "O Messenger of Allaah! how do the angels stand in rows before their Rubb?'' 

He ﷺ:

"They COMPLETE each row beginning with the FIRST and FILLING  all the GAPS.'' (Muslim)

🌷Allaah and His Angels SEND BLESSINGS on the people in the first row!

Wouldn't you want the Mercy of Allaah? 

Wouldn't you want the Angels to pray for you? 

Then do not miss the first row, because praying in the first row will get you all that. 

🍃The Prophet ﷺ said:

“Allaah bestows mercy and His angels invoke blessings for those in the first rows” (Abu Dawud, An-Nasa'i -Saheeh by al-Albaani).

🌷Warning for those who lag behind and don't care about the first row

The Prophet ﷺ showed his displeasure to those who lag behind and don't make an effort to complete the first row first. 

He warned them. 

🍃Abu Sa’eed Al-Khudri radhi Allaahu anhu reported that the Prophet ﷺ noticed his Companions going to the back rows, and he said, 

"Come close and follow me and let those behind follow you. People will continue to fall back (in acquiring virtues) until Allaah will put them in the back" (Muslim)

Subhaan Allaah! 

What a stern warning! 

Shouldn't we take heed?

In fact, not caring to complete the first row and praying in the back rows is so disliked that Imaam Bukhaari has a chapter in his book called: "The “SIN” of those who do not complete the rows”!

🌷The first row is the BEST row

🍃The Messenger of Allaah ﷺ said: 

"The best of the men's rows (in Salaah) is the first row and the worst is the last; but the best of the women's row is the last and the worst of their rows is the first.''[Muslim].

Okay. That's for the men. 

What about for women ?

Although according to this hadeeth, the first row is the worst for women and the last row is the best, the ulama explain that this is when there's no barrier or separation between the men and women. 

However, if there is a separate room or partition between the two, then this hadeeth applies to WOMEN AS WELL. 

And the first row becomes the best for them as well. 

You see, at the time of the Prophet ﷺ women used to perform Salaah in the Prophet's masjid and their rows were at the back of the gathering. 

There was no gallery, partition or a separate section for them. 

And the men in the back rows were too close to the women praying in the women’s first row. And there was a chance of temptation between the two genders.

That’s the reason why the Prophet ﷺ said that about the rows for men and women. 

But now, we have separate areas for the women or at least a partition in between the men and women so the best row for the women becomes their first row as per the words of the hadeeth of the Prophet ﷺ.

🍃Shaikh Ibn Baaz said regarding this hadeeth:

“The hadeeth quoted is saheeh, but according to the scholars, it’s when there is no barrier between the men and women.

But if they are screened from the men, then the best rows are the front ones and the worst ones are the back ones, just as is the case with men, and they have to complete the front rows first, then the next and so on, and close the gaps, just like men, because of the general meaning of the proven hadeeth from the Messenger of Allaah ﷺ concerning that.”

(Majmoo’ Fataawa Ibn Baaz 25/145)

🌷Conclusion

These ahaadeeth show us that the first row is the BEST.

Its value is priceless. 

It is worth competing for.

In it is a prize you wouldn't want to give up. 

So don't let laziness make you lag behind. 

Rush to the first row. 

Race to it and compete with one another for a place in it. 

And try your best to find a spot in it.

Complete it first before you start any other row. 

In fact, never take a place in the second row if there is place in the first. 

Similarly, never take place in the third row if there is room in the second line. And so forth. 

And if you see a spot in the first row from behind, be eager to grab the goodness and receive the blessings of praying in the row that's ahead of you. 

Why shouldn’t we? 

Isn't the Mercy of Allaah, the instructions of our beloved Prophet ﷺ and the blessings of the angels enough reasons?

And Allaah knows best.