In another narration he warned, “Either you will straighten your rows, or Allah will cause your faces to differ.” Straightening the rows means leveling them by aligning shoulders and ankles.

Worshippers must also be diligent in closing the gaps and standing close together, for he said, “Straighten your rows and stand close together,” narrated by al-Bukhari. That is: bring the rows so near that no space remains between you. “Standing close together” refers to each worshipper touching the one beside him so that the gaps are sealed and no openings remain for Satan.

The Prophet showed the greatest concern for aligning the rows and having the congregation stand shoulder-to-shoulder, underscoring the importance and benefit of the practice. Standing close together does not mean what some ignorant people do today—spreading their legs so wide that they crowd the person next to them—for such behavior actually creates gaps in the rows1, harms the worshippers, and has no basis in the sacred law. Muslims should therefore pay careful attention to this matter and be eager to observe it, following their Prophet and perfecting their prayer. May Allah guide everyone to what He loves and is pleased with.