Hadith Text

The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Straighten your rows or Allah will alter your faces." (Sahih al-Bukhari 717)

Context and Importance

This hadith emphasizes the significance of maintaining straight, orderly rows during congregational prayers. The command to straighten rows (taswiyat as-sufuf) is among the emphasized Sunnahs of prayer that demonstrate unity, discipline, and submission to Allah's command.

Scholarly Commentary

Imam al-Nawawi explains that straightening rows is a collective obligation (fard kifayah) for the praying congregation. The severe warning "Allah will alter your faces" indicates the gravity of neglecting this command. Scholars interpret this alteration as either physical distortion in the Hereafter or spiritual disfigurement through loss of blessings and unity.

Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani notes that proper row alignment reflects the harmony and orderliness of angels in worship. The horizontal and vertical straightening symbolizes the spiritual unity of Muslims standing shoulder-to-shoulder before their Lord, eliminating gaps that Satan exploits.

Practical Implementation

The Sunnah method involves aligning shoulders and heels with those adjacent, closing gaps, and ensuring the row is straight before commencing prayer. The imam should verify row straightness, and worshippers should gently correct their neighbors if needed.

This discipline extends beyond physical alignment to spiritual harmony - removing hatred, envy, and discord from hearts while standing in prayer, fulfilling both the outward and inward requirements of proper worship.