Quick Hadith 050

HADITH 1

Nu'man bin Basheer RA narrates:

"Rasulullah (SAW) used to straighten our rows (of Solat) so much so that it was straight to the extent that an arrow could be straightened (using the row as a guide).

(The Prophet SAW continued to do so) until he saw that we had understood this command.

One day, Rasulullah (SAW) came out (to perform the Solat) and was about to make the Takbir when he saw that one man's chest was protruding from the row (i.e. it was not in line with the others).

So, Rasulullah (SAW) said:

"O servants of Allah, you should definitely straighten your rows, otherwise Allah will cause dissent amongst you." (Muslim, Mishkat)


COMMENTARY

The above is just one of many examples to display that external actions have a great bearing and influence on the conditions of the heart. Straightening of the rows and standing close in congregational Solat is directly linked to mutual love and Muslim brotherhood.

A cursory glance at the state of congregational Solat in our mosques today will give us a clue as to the degree of our mutual love. It is thus, requested that the Imams of the mosques should remind the Musallis of this important duty, as Rasulullah (SAW) himself used to remind the congregation time and again. If we do not follow the way of Rasulullah SAW, we will be doomed in this world, and worst - in the Hereafter. May Allah SWT save us.

As for the arrow described in the above narration, an arrow used in practice would normally become bent. To straighten it, one would require a perfectly straight object as a guide. This parable describes the degree to which there was straightness in the rows of the Sahabah RA.


HADITH 2

Anas bin Malik RA narrates that Rasulullah SAW said:

"Straighten your rows because the straightening of the rows is (part and parcel of) the completion of Solat."

According to some narrations, it is part of - "Iqaamat-us-Solat."


COMMENTARY

In many verses of the Noble Qur'an, Allah SWT has not only enjoined upon us Solat, but has commanded the "Iqaamat-us-Solat" i.e. "the complete establishment of Solat.

The above Hadith explains that one aspect of this "Iqaamat-us-Solat" - is the straightening of the rows. Thus, by straightening the rows one is in fact acting on verses of the Noble Qur'an, thus fulfilling the Orders of Allah Almighty, thus opposed to those who don't.