a plural is two. In the early days of Islam, followers would not stand behind the imam unless they numbered three or more. If there were two, however, they would stand on his right and left. (1) But this was later abrogated. Thus, the minimum number constituting a congregation is two. What is meant here by “a plural” is two or more; hence, two or more stand behind the imam.

It has previously been mentioned that the imam leading those who are unclothed prays in their midst, (2) and that a woman leading other women in prayer stands in their midst. (3)

It is valid for them to stand with him on his right or on both sides, but not in front of him or solely on his left.

His statement, “It is valid for them to stand with him on his right or on both sides”: the pronoun in “it is valid” refers to standing; that is, it is valid for them to stand with him—that is, with the imam—on his right or on both sides. In other words, two or more followers may stand on his right or on both sides, meaning that one stands on his right and the other on his left. This is better than their standing only on his right, because Abdullah ibn Mas'ud stood between Alqamah and al-Aswad and said, “This is how I saw the Prophet ﷺ do it.” (4) Thus, two or more followers have three possible positions in relation to the imam:

First: behind him, and this is best.

Second: on both sides of him.

Third: solely on his right.

His statement, “but not in front of him,” means that it is not valid for the followers to stand in front of the imam. If they stand in front of him, their prayer is invalid.