10/28. Chapter:
Sunan an-Nasai 816 — Rows Like the Angels
The Imam encouraging (worshippers) to make the rows solid and stand close to one another
Hadith About Forming Rows Like the Angels
Sunan an-Nasai : 816
Sunan an-NasaiHadith Number 816
أَخْبَرَنَا قُتَيْبَةُ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا الْفُضَيْلُ بْنُ عِيَاضٍ، عَنِ الأَعْمَشِ، عَنِ الْمُسَيَّبِ بْنِ رَافِعٍ، عَنْ تَمِيمِ بْنِ طَرَفَةَ، عَنْ جَابِرِ بْنِ سَمُرَةَ، قَالَ خَرَجَ إِلَيْنَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَقَالَ " أَلاَ تَصُفُّونَ كَمَا تَصُفُّ الْمَلاَئِكَةُ عِنْدَ رَبِّهِمْ " . قَالُوا وَكَيْفَ تَصُفُّ الْمَلاَئِكَةُ عِنْدَ رَبِّهِمْ قَالَ " يُتِمُّونَ الصَّفَّ الأَوَّلَ ثُمَّ يَتَرَاصُّونَ فِي الصَّفِّ " .
Jabir bin Samurah Narrated from:
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) came out to us and said: 'Will you not form rows as the angels form rows before their Lord? They said: 'How do the angels form rows before their lord? He said: 'They complete the first row and fill the gaps in the rows.'
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 816In-book reference : Book 10, Hadith 40English translation : Vol. 1, Book 10, Hadith 817
Summary of Sunan an-Nasai Hadith 816
This Hadith about forming rows like the angels is narrated from Jabir bin Samurah. The Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) came out and asked whether they would not form rows as the angels form rows before their Lord. When they asked how the angels form rows, he explained that they complete the first row and fill the gaps in the rows. The hadith gives a clear pattern for congregational prayer: start with the first row, complete it, and remove empty spaces. It is a strong search match for rows like angels hadith, complete the first row hadith, and fill gaps in prayer rows. The comparison to the angels makes the instruction easy to remember, but the practical step is very simple.
What we learn from this hadith
- The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) compared proper rows to the rows of the angels.
- The first row should be completed first.
- Gaps in the rows should be filled.
- The narration teaches order and closeness in congregational prayer.
