Crossing the rows in Salaah

(#098)

Assalamu Alaikum W R W B

Hope you are well.

Several times I have had this happen so I would like to know what to do in these situations:1. After the Imam starts the salaat, if someone goes out of the suf for some reason and there is a gap in between two namazis – what to do in this situation? Please clarify for both if there is another suf at the back or there is no one at the back?2. Sometimes when the Jamaat begins and there is someone doing his sunnat or nafil salaat in the next suf – do we leave the space for the person to join after he finishes?

If in above situation, can we move sideways to fill the gap thus the person still doing his sunnat or nafil  salaat will have to be crossed?

Remember us in your duas.

Answer

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

السلام عليكم و رحمة الله و بركاته

حامدا و مصليا و مسلما

Muhtaram

We are in receipt of your query dated December 17th, 2015. Our response is as follows:

1. The Muqtadi behind him should walk forward and fill the empty space by taking two steps forward by which he reaches the empty space or he takes one step forward, stands still for the duration of one Rukn and continues like this till he reaches the empty space, which is in front of him. If he takes 3 steps forward  continuously then his Salaat will be void because this will be regarded as Amale Katheer (excessive movement). {Shaami vol. 1 pg. 627 and Fataawa Mahmoodiya vol. 2 pg. 176}

• If he does not fill the empty space in front of him, then it will be permissible for a new comer who has not started his Salaat (as of yet) to walk in front in order to fill the empty space, even though it is a few Saffs in front, and if need be, it is permissible to even jump over the shoulder of the Musalli to fill the empty space which he has not filled, because the Musalli by not stepping forward has sanctioned the violation of his right for the new-comer to walk in front of him. 

{Shaami vol.1 pg.570}

• If the Musallee is the last person in the Saff and there is a little gap next to him then it will not be a problem to fill the gap, however we were unable to locate a clear text from the Islamic Jurists if the Musalli is in between the Saff (in the last row). Inshallah we will get back to you once we locate a clear text.

2) If the Jamaat commences and there is an empty gap due to a person reading his Sunnats near the Jamaat than Dharoratan (due to necessity) a person may pass the Mussalli in order to fill the empty space.

(Khairul Fatawa-354/2- Kitabul Fatawa 269/2-Shaami 570/1 and Fatawa Mahmoodiyah- Faroqiya Jadeed- 523/6-Fatawa Rahemiyah-145/4)

And Allah Ta’ala knows best

Muhammad Irshad Motara

Rabiul Aakhir 1437

15^th January 2016

Checked and approved by:

Mufti Musayyab Sahib

Rabiul Aakhir 1437

15^th January 2016