Feet Police

“Straighten your lines and leave no gaps. Foot-to-foot, shoulder-to-shoulder.”

We’ve all heard it, but have we acted upon it? I always wonder what people think when the Imam says this… How can this statement pass over one’s head? Is it our ignorance of the deen or the arrogance in our hearts that prevents us from unifying together in prayer? It pains me to think that this is the case.

Correcting our lines is truly a means of creating unity within the Muslim Ummah. Nu’man ibn Bashir (ra) reported, “I heard the Messenger of Allah (sallalahu alayhi wa salam) say:

‘Straighten your rows, or Allah will create dissension amongst you.’”

 (Sahih Muslim)

What a warning! Dissension, meaning opposition between us. This seems to be what



happens naturally today when we aren’t lined up properly. Simply put, the “proper row” is one that is kept precisely straight; our heels must be aligned at the bottom of the body (good thing for us, there’s a line on the carpet in all masajid indicating where the heels should go) and our shoulders should be connected at the top of the body. Anas (radiAllahu anhu) described his state at the time of the Prophet (sallalahu alayhi wa salam).

He said,

“At the time of the Messenger, 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 an obstinate mule.”

(Bukhari and Muslim)

An obstinate mule, subhan’Allah! Nowadays, we are so stubborn. We’ve become accustomed to praying solo, forgetting that we’re all slaves of Allah, all here for the same reason, all with the same mission… and for most, jamaat salaah (congregational prayer) has lost its true meaning due to one simple fact—Our  hearts have become unattached. We do not realize the very special bond that is created between us when we pray together.  If we did and if we felt love towards one another, we wouldn’t be upset or bothered if one put their foot next to ours, or if one scooted close enough for the shoulders to touch.  We would think about it, and actually want to put our feet next to each other’s (especially because it’s sunnah). 

We would be accepting and feel gratitude towards Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) that He has chosen us to unite and stand before Him in worship. Just like a very wise Imam always says, if the thinking is right, the worship is right.
Anas ibn Malik (radiAllahu anhu) also reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallalahu alayhi wa salam) said:

“Straighten your rows for the straightening of a row is a part of the perfection of prayer.”

(Sahih Muslim)

Think about having the perfect prayer, one just like RasulAllah (sallalahu alayhi wa salam) and the Companions. Our hearts should crave for such a thing. How wonderful would it be if we could come together as an Ummah and put these teachings into practice? Those parallel lines truly make a difference!

Not only is it completely and 100% sunnah to keep strong, straight, and tight rows, but it’s something loved by the All-Mighty. He (subhana wa ta’ala) says in the Qur’an:

“Indeed, Allah loves those who fight in His cause in a row as though they are a [single] structure joined firmly.”

(Surah As-Saf 61:4)

Lining up (shipshape and gap-less) is also a special quality of the Angels:

“And indeed, we [angels] are those who line up [for prayer]…”

(Surah As-Saffat 37: 165

So, why not implement this into our everyday lives and keep aspiring to such great qualities?

Perfecting our prayer is also just a wonderful approach in increasing the organization, cooperation, and general awesomeness of our communities. If we do our part, we can make that happen, insha’Allah. Let’s start today by connecting our feet and filling the gaps!

I pray that this little bit of info has been of benefit and hopefully will be taken as a means to bring us all closer together as one family and truly closer to Allah (‘azza wajal).
May Allah accept all of our efforts.

Side Hadith: Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallalahu alayhi wa salam) 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 woman’s row is the last and the worst of their rows is the first.”
(Muslim)

sumber dari: qnoor.org