Question (Q-22):
If someone is praying Salāh with Jamā’ah and his Wudhū is invalidated due to which he walks out of the row leaving a gap, will it be necessary for the person behind him to fill the gap? If someone enters the Masjid after Jamā’ah has begun and the row in front of him is full, should he stand alone at the back?
Answer:
If someone invalidates his Wudhū and walks out of a row then a newcomer or the people praying in the row behind should fill that gap. Another option is for the people praying on either side of that gap to move side wards to fill the gap. Otherwise they should leave the gap as it is.
Al Imām Ahmad Ridhā (رضى الله عنه) said, “A gap left by a follower should be filled by a newcomer or it should be left as it is.” (Al Fatāwā Ar Ridwiyyah, Volume 7, Page 197)
Similarly, if someone comes after the Jamā’ah has already begun and there is no room at all in the row that is in front of him then he should wait for someone else to enter the Masjid. However, if he fears that waiting for someone else will lead to him missing a Rak’ah (unit) then he should tap one of the people praying in the row in front and bring him back. If he decides to stand alone then this is also permissible, but it is disliked. In fact, it is stated in Qunniyyah that it is better to stand alone in our times due to the majority of the public being unaware of the rulings in relation to such matters:
و في القنية، و القيام وحده اوليٰ في زماننا لغلبة الجهل علي العوام
(Al Bahr Ar Rāiq, Volume 1, Page 617)
Allah (تعالى) Knows Best.
Written by Muftī Shamsulhudā Khān Misbāhī (Allah preserve him)
