What constitutes the first row (al-Saff al-Awwal) in congregational prayer?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Friday Prayer
Primary text
The sound position is that the first row is the one immediately behind the Minbar (pulpit), because the Minbar is conceptually the beginning point of the prayer space. If the first row were behind the space cut off by the Minbar, it would lead to the space immediately behind the Imam being empty. Furthermore, the Companions of the Prophet, peace be upon him, who were the noblest among them, stood immediately behind him, indicating their position was the first row.
Supporting text
There is a difference in narration from Ahmad. In one account, he stated that the first row is the one immediately adjacent to the Maqsurah, based on the assumption that the Maqsurah defines the start. In another account, he expressed uncertainty as to whether the first row is the one cut off by the Minbar or the one succeeding it.