If boys reach the first row before older people, they are more entitled to it

Dear Brothers & Sisters,
As-Salaamu-Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh. (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)
One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:
Some children come early on Fridays, then people who are older than them come and make them get up, then they sit in their places. They quote as evidence in support of this the hadeeth of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him): “Let there be behind me those among you who are wise and mature.” Is this permissible?
(There may be some grammatical and spelling errors in the above statement. The forum does not change anything from questions, comments and statements received from our readers for circulation in confidentiality.)
Check below answers in case you are looking for other related questions:

Answer:

Praise be to Allaah.

This is the view of some scholars, who say that it is better for young boys to form rows behind the men. But this opinion is subject to dispute. The more correct view is that if they get there first, it is not permissible to make them sit further back. If they reach the first or second row first, those who come after them should not make them sit further back, because they got there first and that gives them the right over those who did not get there first. So it is not permissible to make them sit further back, because of the general meaning of the ahaadeeth concerning this matter, and because making them sit further back would put them off coming to the prayer and from competing in that – and this is not appropriate. 

But if a group of people arrive together, because they are traveling together or for some other reason, then the men should form the first rows, the boys behind them, and the women – if there are women present – should form rows behind them. This is when a group is all together. But for older people who come later to make the youngsters move and then take their places is not permissible, as we have mentioned. 

With regard to the hadeeth of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him): “Let there be behind me those among you who are wise and mature” – this is meant to encourage people who are wise and mature to hasten to the prayer and to be in the forefront of the people. It does not mean that those who arrived before them should be made to move for them, because that goes against the shar’i evidence that we have mentioned. 

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah's Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Related Answers:

Recommended answers for you: