[7/ 33] It is a common mistake amongst the Imams to just order muslims to straighten their rows or just look at their toes to make sure they are on a straight level. They do so believing they have done their job properly or much worse thinking that this is what is meant by straightening rows.

‘Umar ( - رضي الله عنه -) used to appoint some men for straightening the rows; he ( - رضي الله عنه -) would never commence his Sal?t till he is informed that all the rows are completely straightened. Both ‘Uthm?n and ‘Al? ( - رضي الله عنهم -) used to do the same. The latter even used to check the praying muslims individually. (1) [Regarding this point], Ibn Hazm stated in his “Muhall?” (2) that ‘the Im?m is recommended not to commence his Sal?t till all the rows are straightened. If he recites Takb?r before doing so he has made a mistake but his Sal?t is correct’.

When straightening the rows:

[8/ 33] It is a mistake to recite the had?th that states: ‘Verily, All?h ( - عز وجل -) does not regard the unstraightened row’ for it is baseless and was never affirmed to ba said by the prophet ( - صلى الله عليه وسلم -).

[9/ 33] If there is only one praying muslim with the Im?m, he should stand to the Im?m’s right side, this is the Sunnah as related by Ibn ‘Abb?s ( - رضي الله عنه -) whose narration Al-Bukh?r? reported in his Sah?h under the title “One Ma’m?m should stand to the Im?m’s right side”, (3) not a step backwards nor a step forward. (4) This Sunnah is supported by the following points:

(1) Had the Sunnah been otherwise [at the prophet ( - صلى الله عليه وسلم -) time], it would have been related by the Sah?bah who were led by the prophet ( - صلى الله عليه وسلم -) so often.