so, then precedence, posteriority, and concurrence fundamentally concern time and place, as in customary usage when time and place are interchanged. These expressions are called adverbs of time and place. Allah, who taught speech, taught human beings to express the meanings their hearts apprehend. Thus, what the children of Adam understand in this regard is what is expressed by terms of time and place.

As for spatial precedence and posteriority, an example is the statement of Samurah ibn Jundub: “The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, instructed us that, when there were three of us, one of us should step forward.” This was narrated by al-Tirmidhī. Another example is the statement of Abū Bakr al-Siddīq, may Allah be pleased with him, recorded in the two Sahīh collections, when the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, gestured to him: “It is not for the son of Abū Quhāfah to step forward before the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him.” Another example is the hadith concerning the prayer