Who should stand in the first row during congregational prayer?
Chapter on Imamate and Congregational Prayer
Al-Mughni
Book of Prayer
Primary text
It is the established Sunnah for those of greater merit and age to precede others in the first row. The person nearest to the Imam in the first row must be the most complete and best among the congregation. Imam Ahmad stated that the elders and the people of the Quran should stand next to the Imam, while young boys should be placed behind them and kept away from the immediate proximity of the Imam. This is evidenced by the narration of Abu Mas'ud Al-Ansari that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, used to say: "Let those of you who possess prudence and sound judgment stand closest to me, then those who follow them, then those who follow them." This Hadith is reported by Muslim. Furthermore, the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, loved for the Muhajirun and Ansar to stand next to him so they could learn from him, as narrated by Anas.
Supporting text
The narration from Abu Sa'id indicates that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, saw his Companions lagging behind, whereupon he commanded them to advance and complete the rows immediately behind him, stating that those behind them should follow their example, and that a people who continually fall behind will ultimately be caused to lag behind by Allah the Mighty and Majestic (reported by Muslim and Abu Dawud). A specific incident involving 'Umar ibn Al-Khattab further illustrates this, where he moved Qays ibn 'Ubad from the first row because the person next to him, Ubayy ibn Ka'b, recognized the faces of the established Companions whom the Prophet had instructed to stand closest to him, stating that the instruction was: "Be in the row that is closest to me."