What is the established correct ruling regarding forming rows in the funeral prayer?

General Chapter

Al-Mughni

Book of Funerals

Book 7 · Issue 3 · Bab 1

Open in Qurani

Primary text

The correct established ruling is to make every two individuals constitute one row.

Supporting text

A narration attributed to 'Ata' ibn Abi Rabah stated that when the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, prayed over a deceased person and there were seven attendees, he arranged them as three in the first row, two in the second, and one in the third. However, this narration is considered weak and is rejected, as it was not found except in the book of Ibn 'Aqil, and Ahmad adopted a position contrary to it, disliking the formation of a row consisting of a single person.