10/20. Chapter:
Sunan an-Nasai 803 — Standing on the Imam's Right
When there are two men and two women
Hadith About Standing on the Imam's Right in Prayer
Sunan an-Nasai : 803
Sunan an-NasaiHadith Number 803
أَخْبَرَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ بَشَّارٍ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدٌ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا شُعْبَةُ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ عَبْدَ اللَّهِ بْنَ مُخْتَارٍ، يُحَدِّثُ عَنْ مُوسَى بْنِ أَنَسٍ، عَنْ أَنَسٍ، أَنَّهُ كَانَ هُوَ وَرَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَأُمُّهُ وَخَالَتُهُ فَصَلَّى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَجَعَلَ أَنَسًا عَنْ يَمِينِهِ وَأُمَّهُ وَخَالَتَهُ خَلْفَهُمَا .
Anas Narrated from:
It was narrated from Anas that he and the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and his mother, and his maternal aunt (were together). The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) prayed, and he told Anas to stand on his right and his mother and maternal aunt behind them.
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 803In-book reference : Book 10, Hadith 27English translation : Vol. 1, Book 10, Hadith 804
Summary of Sunan an-Nasai Hadith 803
This Hadith about standing on the imam’s right in prayer gives a clear layout of a small congregational prayer. Anas was with the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم), his mother, and his maternal aunt. When the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) prayed, he told Anas to stand on his right, while the mother and aunt stood behind them. The report is short, but it gives a direct picture of prayer row arrangement when one male prays with the imam and women are also present. People often search this as hadith about prayer rows, where to stand behind imam, and women behind men in prayer. The hadith does not add extra details about the prayer length or time, so the explanation stays with what is stated: Anas stood beside the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم), and the women stood behind.
What we learn from this hadith
- A single male follower stood on the right side of the imam in this prayer.
- The women in this narration stood behind the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) and Anas.
- Prayer rows were arranged even in a small family setting.
- The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) personally guided Anas where to stand.
