The First Row in Prayer

Is it better for a person to build a mosque alone?

Or to join his brothers to build a bigger mosque?

Allah's bounty is vast. And the best is what's most beneficial.

The best is what's most beneficial.

So if that is best for Muslims

Building a small mosque by oneself is better.

If it's best for Muslims to build a big mosque many gather in, it's better.

Because the reward increases.

with the greater benefit.

Yes. Whoever builds a mosque alone will have the reward of the mosque.

And whoever participates.

In building the mosque, he gets his share of its reward.

But which is better? We say: The better is what is more beneficial.

If both are equal in benefit.

then it is better to build it himself.

To build it himself, and it is rare for both to be equal in benefit. Yes.

May Allah ﷻ reward you well. May Allah ﷻ preserve you.

Which is better: the first row, far from the imam?

Or the second row, close to the imam?

There is no doubt that the first row is best, even if far from the imam.

"The best rows for men are the first."

The correct view is that the right is better than the left.

Meaning: the right of the first row is better than its left.

And the left side of the first row is better than the second row.

And the right side of the second row is better than its left side.

And so on.

What is required of the believer is to hasten to the first row.

The Prophet ﷺ said.

"A man keeps lagging behind the first row until held back."

"Allah ﷻ [places him] in the Fire." The scholars said that the point is.

If a Muslim hastens to the first row.

he preserves the prayer and is spared sin.

But if he falls behind the first row, he may soon miss the prayer's start.

Then he may end up arriving at the end of the prayer.

Then he may even pray at home. If that happens

He would be falling into sin and be blameworthy.

In any case, the answer to the question is this.

The first row is better than standing behind the imam

or in the second row behind him. Yes.