Is there any virtue in rushing to pray behind the Imam, and is the virtue restricted to the first row and its right side?

The virtue of competing for the first row behind the Imam, and then the rows immediately following it, has been mentioned. It is stated that if people knew what was in the call to prayer and the first row, they would compete for it. And a people will continue to lag behind until Allah holds them back. It is especially desirable to be close to the Imam on Friday. It is also Sunnah to fill the first row, then the next, and for people to form rows where the preceding rows end, even if that is outside the mosque.

Scholars have recommended the right side of the row and proximity to the Imam, so that those of understanding and wisdom among the people may be directly behind him, due to their superiority. This also allows them to grasp what is conveyed from his actions and for the Imam to refer to them if he needs them.

In summary: competing for the front rows and being close to the Imam is desirable. The virtue of the first row is greater than the second, and so on. The right side of the first row is better than its left, but the left side of a preceding row is better than the right side of a lagging row. And lagging behind when one is able to move forward is blameworthy.