The Prophet’s statement, “then, if they could find no other way but to draw lots for it, they would surely do so,” means that the people would come forward and compete eagerly for the privilege. Reserving places, by contrast, causes real harm: a person tells himself, “My spot is guaranteed,” and on that assumption he slackens and turns away from pursuing the good.

Dear brothers, the point of the Prophet’s words, “If people only knew the reward for the call to prayer and the first row…” is that one should step forward in person and seize the opportunity. True, someone who is already inside the mosque may choose to stay back from the first row in order to recite, pray, review Qur’an, or even sleep—and sleeping in the mosque is permissible for those who have the right to be there. Yet he must still reach his place before the rows close; otherwise he will end up stepping over people’s necks. The Prophet once saw a man doing that and said, “Sit down, for you have caused them harm.”

The second hadith narrated by Abu Hurayrah also shows that drawing lots is allowed for acts that bring one nearer to Allah. If two men dispute over who should give the adhan, and there is no appointed mu’adhdhin while both are equally qualified, then lots should be cast, and whoever’s name is drawn is the one who calls. Regrettably, you now see some travelling groups in which each person says to the other, “You give the adhan,” unaware of the immense good contained in it. No tree, clod of earth, or stone hears the adhan without bearing witness for you on the Day of Resurrection, so hasten to call the adhan whenever you can.