Should one join the worshippers who have deviated from the Imam's position, or stand alone behind him?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
The first and best is to stand behind the Imam, with him in the middle of the row. What the two individuals standing to the left of the Imam did is contrary to the , and their prayer becomes invalid according to the Hanbalis if there is no one to the Imam's right. However, the majority of scholars hold their prayer to be valid. You are not obligated to stand with these two individuals; rather, you should stand behind the Imam, and your prayer will be valid, even though this posture is contrary to what is most preferable due to it breaking the row.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/194531
Where this answer came from
- Source platform
- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 194531
- 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