334 – Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet ﷺ said, “Compact your rows, draw them close together, and align the necks.” Narrated by Abu Dawud and al-Nasa’i, and Ibn Hibban declared it authentic. (1)

— Grade of the hadith:
This report is sound. It was transmitted by Abu Dawud and al-Nasa’i, and authenticated by Ibn Khuzaymah (3/22) and Ibn Hibban. Alongside its reliable chain, it is further supported by corroborating narrations in the two Sahihs and elsewhere, including: the hadith of Anas in al-Bukhari (690) and Muslim (433); the hadith of al-Nu‘man in al-Bukhari (685) and Muslim (436); the hadith of Abu Umamah in the Musnad (21760); and additional reports.

— Vocabulary of the hadith:
• rusṣu: with a ḍamma on both the rāʾ and the sād, from rassa–yarussu–rassan (the pattern of qatala), meaning to press together so that the parts join and draw near—hence “he compacted the wall.” Allah says, “as though they were a solid structure” (Q 61:4).
• hādhū: to keep level; that each person’s neck be directly in line with the neck of the one beside him.
• aʿnāq: plural of ʿunuq, the neck.