of the two or more worshippers. If the right side were absolutely superior, the position of two men with one man would be on the right. Moreover, if the right side were absolutely superior, the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, would have said, “Complete the right side, then the next right side,” just as the rows are completed one after another, beginning with the first.

Thus, if there were ten men on the right and two on the left, the left side would be better, because it is closer to the imam.

The end of the first row, whether on the right or the left, is better than the second row, even if the latter is directly behind the imam.

The evidence for this is the Prophet’s statement, peace and blessings be upon him: “Will you not form rows as the angels form rows before their Lord?” They asked, “How do the angels form rows before their Lord?” He said, “They stand close together and complete the first row, then the next.” (1)

Accordingly, we complete the rows one after another: the first before the second, the second before the third, and the third before the fourth—and so on.

AND THAT HE RECITE SURAH AL-KAHF ON ITS DAY …

His statement, “and that he recite Surah al-Kahf on its day,” means that it is sunnah to recite Surah al-Kahf on Friday, because the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “Whoever recites Surah al-Kahf on Friday will be illuminated by a light between the two Fridays.” (2) This has been narrated both as a report traced back to the Prophet and as a statement of a Companion.

Some scholars considered the report traced back to the Prophet defective on the grounds that it was narrated as a statement of a Companion.