Abu Huraira reported God’s Messenger as saying, "The best of the men’s rows is the first and the worst is the last, but the best of the women’s rows is the last and the worst is the first.” Muslim transmitted it.

Anas reported God’s Messenger as saying, "Stand close together in your rows, bring them near one another, and stand neck to neck, for by Him in whose hand my soul is, I see the devil coming in through openings in the row like a number of small black sheep.” Abu Dawud transmitted it.

He reported God’s Messenger as saying, "Complete the front row, then the one that comes next, and if there is any incompleteness let it be in the last row.” Abu Dawud transmitted it.

Al-Bara’ b. ‘Azib told how God’s Messenger used to say, "God and His angels bless those who are near the first rows, and no step is more pleasing to God than one a worshipper takes to reach a row." Abu Dawud transmitted it.

‘A’isha reported God’s Messenger as saying, "God and His angels bless those who are on the right flanks of the rows." Abu Dawud transmitted it.

An-Nu‘man b. Bashir said: God’s Messenger used to straighten our rows when we stood up to pray, and when we were straight he said, “God is most great." Abu Dawud transmitted it.

Anas told how God’s Messenger used to say to those on his right, ‘‘Keep straight and straighten your rows," and say the same to those on his left. Abu Dawud transmitted it.

Ibn ‘Abbas reported God’s Messenger as saying, ‘‘The best of you are those whose shoulders give least annoyance in prayer." Abu Dawud transmitted it.

Anas told how the Prophet (ﷺ) used to say, ‘‘Keep in alignment, keep in alignment, keep in alignment, for by Him in whose hand my soul is, I can see you behind me just as I see you in front of me." Abu Dawud transmitted it.

Abu Umama reported God’s Messenger as saying, ‘‘God and His angels bless the first row." On being asked whether this applied to the second, he said, ‘‘God and His angels bless the first row." He was again asked if it applied to the second and said, ‘‘God and His angels bless the first row." When asked once again if it applied to the second he said, ‘‘And the second." And God’s Messenger said, ‘‘Straighten your rows, stand shoulder to shoulder, be pliant in the hands of your brethren,* and close up the gaps, for the devil enters through openings like the hadhaf i.e., small lambs. * Here, as in the last tradition of section II, warning is given against jostling one’s neighbours during prayer. At the same time instruction is given that no gaps should be left. Ahmad transmitted it.

Ibn ‘Umar reported God’s Messenger as saying, ‘‘Set the rows in order, stand shoulder to shoulder, close the gaps, be pliant in the hands of your brethren, and do not leave openings for the devil. If anyone joins up a row God will join him up, but if anyone breaks a row God will cut him off.” Abu Dawud transmitted it and Nasa’i transmitted from “If anyone joins up ...” to the end.

Abu Huraira reported God’s Messenger as saying, “Have the imam in the centre and close up the gaps.’’ Abu Dawud transmitted it.

‘A’isha reported God’s Messenger as saying, “People will continue to withdraw to rows behind the first one till God puts them in a back place in hell." Abu Dawud transmitted it.

Wabisa b. Ma'bad said that God’s Messenger saw a man praying alone behind the row and ordered him to repeat the prayer. Ahmad Tirmidhi and Abu Dawud transmitted it, and Tirmidhi said this is a hasan tradition.

Jabir said: God’s Messenger stood up to pray and I came and stood at his left side, so he took my hand, turned me round, and set me at his right side. Then Jabbar b. Sakhr came and stood at God’s Messenger's left, so he took us both by the hand, pushed us back, and made us stand behind him. Muslim transmitted it.

Anas said: An orphan and I prayed in our house behind the Prophet, and Umm Sulaim* was behind us. *She was the mother of Anas. Muslim transmitted it.

He said that the Prophet (ﷺ) led him and his mother, or his maternal aunt, in prayer, adding, “He set me at his right and set the woman behind us." Muslim transmitted it.

Abu Bakra said that he came to the Prophet (ﷺ) when he was bowing, so he bowed before joining the row, after which he went to it. He mentioned that to the Prophet, and he said, “God increase your eagerness! But don’t do it again." Bukhari transmitted it.

Samura b. Jundub said: God’s Messenger commanded that when there were three of us one should stand in front. Tirmidhi transmitted it.

‘Ammar said he was leading the people in al-Mada’in in prayer, and stood on a bench and prayed while the people were lower than he was. Hudhaifa came forward and took him by the hands, and ‘Ammar followed him till he brought him down. When ‘Ammar finished his prayer Hudhaifa said to him: Did you not hear God’s Messenger say, “When a man leads the people in prayer he must not stand in a position higher than theirs,” or words to that effect? ‘Ammar replied, “That is why I followed you when you took me by the hand.” Abu Dawud transmitted it.