If he has not covered either of his shoulders, then moving in order to cover one of them is recommended, because the sound view is that it is not obligatory.

If he realizes that he is standing ahead of those beside him in the row, then moving back is sunnah.

If the row contracts until a gap forms between him and the person beside him, then movement in this case is sunnah.

If two men stand in a row beside him, then it is sunnah for the imam to step forward.

Permissible movement is slight movement for a need, or extensive movement out of necessity.

An example of slight movement is a man praying in the shade who feels cold and so steps forward, backward, to the right, or to the left in order to reach the sun. This is permissible, and we may even say that it is sunnah. Thus, if he says, “When I am in the sun, my khushu‘ is complete, whereas in the shade I suffer from the cold,” then movement in this case is sunnah. But if it is merely for warmth, then it is permissible.

Disliked movement is slight movement without a need, when the completeness of the prayer does not depend upon it, as is found among many people nowadays: such as looking at one’s watch, taking a pen, buttoning buttons, wiping one’s glasses (1), and the like.

Forbidden movement is extensive, continuous movement without necessity.

It is permissible to recite the latter portions of surahs and their middle portions.

His statement, “It is permissible to recite the latter portions of surahs and their middle portions,” means that this is not prohibited, and it may even be sunnah. As for voluntary prayer, it is authentically established from the Prophet ﷺ that he