If the congregant prays next to the Imam, should the Imam move forward if another worshiper arrives, or should the congregant move back? What is the ruling if latecomers arrive while the Imam and congregants are praying side-by-side in one row? Should the Imam move forward one or two rows alone, or should he move forward two rows and all the congregants behind him move forward?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
If the rows of worshippers are full, and there is space around the Imam, it is permissible for the followers to advance to be on his right and left. It is better for the Imam to move forward to make space for those who are late.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/134720
Where this answer came from
- Source platform
- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 134720
- Added here
- . This is when the answer was added to El Fatwa, not the fatwa's date.
- Text
- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
- Read the full ruling
- Read the full answer on Ftawy