5/50. Chapter:
Sunan Ibn Majah 992 — Complete Rows Like Angels
Straightening the rows
Complete Rows Like Angels Hadith in Congregational Prayer
Sunan Ibn Majah : 992
Sunan Ibn MajahHadith Number 992
حَدَّثَنَا عَلِيُّ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ، حَدَّثَنَا وَكِيعٌ، حَدَّثَنَا الأَعْمَشُ، عَنِ الْمُسَيَّبِ بْنِ رَافِعٍ، عَنْ تَمِيمِ بْنِ طَرَفَةَ، عَنْ جَابِرِ بْنِ سَمُرَةَ السُّوَائِيِّ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ " أَلاَ تَصُفُّونَ كَمَا تَصُفُّ الْمَلاَئِكَةُ عِنْدَ رَبِّهَا " . قَالَ قُلْنَا وَكَيْفَ تَصُفُّ الْمَلاَئِكَةُ عِنْدَ رَبِّهَا قَالَ " يُتِمُّونَ الصُّفُوفَ الأُوَلَ وَيَتَرَاصُّونَ فِي الصَّفِّ " .
Jabir bin Samurah As-Suwa’i Narrated from:
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: ‘Will you not form your rows as the angels form their rows before their Lord?’ We said: ‘How do the angels form their rows before their Lord?’ He said: ‘They complete the first row and they stand close of one another in the line (leaving no gaps between one another).’”
Reference : Sunan Ibn Majah 992In-book reference : Book 5, Hadith 190English translation : Vol. 1, Book 5, Hadith 992
Summary of Sunan Ibn Majah Hadith 992
This complete rows like angels hadith teaches how Muslims should stand in congregational prayer. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم asked whether the people would form their rows as the angels form their rows before their Lord. When they asked how the angels do this, he explained: they complete the first rows and stand close together in the line, leaving no gaps. The hadith about straight prayer rows is not only about neatness. It is about order, closeness, and giving the first rows their proper place. The text gives two clear actions: complete the front rows first, and stand close to one another in the row. These simple acts help the congregation pray in a united way.
What we learn from this hadith
- Complete the first rows before moving to later rows.
- Stand close together in the prayer line and avoid gaps.
- Congregational prayer has order and discipline.
- The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم used the angels’ rows as an example for worshippers.
