would simply sit where the circle ended, and the spot in which the Messenger of Allah ﷺ sat would thereby become the head of the gathering. In the same fashion, when a person enters an assembly and sees everyone settled in place, he should sit wherever the circle ends for him; if he is an ordinary attendee, that is his seat, and if he is among the distinguished, people will naturally turn toward him and his place will become the head of the gathering.

Another aspect of proper etiquette is not to separate two people—that is, one must not insert himself between them and crowd them. The Prophet ﷺ spoke of a man who performs his ablution in his house on Friday, applies some oil, takes a little of his family’s perfume, then comes to the Friday prayer without splitting up two people, and prays whatever is written for him until the imam arrives; such a man will have forgiven for him everything between that Friday and the next, plus three extra days. This makes it clear that one is required to purify himself on Friday—and what is meant is a complete bath (ghusl)—because the Friday bath is obligatory, and whoever neglects it without a valid excuse is sinful. The Prophet ﷺ said, “The Friday bath is obligatory upon every adult,” meaning every accountable person; therefore every adult who comes to the Friday prayer is required