There is no doubt that the nearer left side is better than the farther right side. Evidence for this is that, at first, when a congregation consisted of three people, it was prescribed for the imam to stand between the other two; that is, between the two followers. (1) This shows that the right side is not preferable in every case. Had it been absolutely preferable, it would have been better for both followers to stand to the imam’s right. Rather, it was prescribed for one to stand on the right and the other on the left, so that the imam would stand in the middle and neither side would be unduly favored.
- Part of straightening the rows is that women should be kept in rows by themselves; that is, women should stand behind the men and should not intermingle with them. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “The best rows for men are the first of them, and the worst of them are the last; and the best rows for women are the last of them, and the worst of them are the first.” (2) Thus, he, peace and blessings be upon him, made clear that the farther women stand behind the men, the better.
Accordingly, it is better for women to be placed behind the rows of men, because of the temptation involved in their being close to men. More serious still is their intermingling with men, such as when a woman stands beside a man, or when a row of women is placed between the rows of men. This is not proper, and when there is fear of temptation, it is closer to being prohibited.
Where there is no risk of temptation, it is contrary to what is preferable; that is, if the women are their unmarriageable close relatives, then it is contrary to what is preferable and to what is best.