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One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

What is the right posstion to stand in jamat prayer

How much gap is need to be in legs and whrere i keep my hands on stomuch.

Thanks and Regards

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Answer:

Standing and gaps in prayer

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Your Question: What is the right posstion to stand in jamat prayer

Abu Umamah reports that the Prophet (saws) said: "Straighten your rows, and put your shoulders close to each other, and be gentle with each other, and fill in the gaps, for the Shaytaan passes through what is between you like small sheep [are able to pass through gaps]."

Related by Ahmad and at-Tabarani.

An-Nu'man ibn Bashir says: "The Prophet (saws) would straighten us in our rows as one straightens an arrow, until he (saws) saw that we had learned from him. One day, he (saws) saw a person with his chest sticking out and he (saws) said: 'You had better straighten your rows or Allah will cause differences among you."'

Related by Bukhari and Muslim.

Ibn 'Umar related that the Messenger of Allah (saws) said: "Whoever connects a row, Allah will join him. Whoever cuts off a row, Allah will cut him off."

Related by An-Nasa'i, al-Hakim, and Ibn Khuzaimah.

Sunan of Abu-Dawood Hadith 666 Narrated by Abdullah ibn Umar

The Prophet (saws) said: ‘Set the rows in order, stand shoulder to shoulder, close the gaps, be pliant in the hands of your brethren, and do not leave openings for the Shaytaan. If anyone joins up a row, Allah will join him up, but if anyone breaks a row, Allah will cut him off.’

The Messenger of Allah (saws) was so particular about straightening the rows and closing the gaps in prayer, that it was his practice as the ‘imam’ in prayer to not start the prayers until he had confirmation that the rows were straightened and the gaps were filled. Thus it is the responsibility and duty of each and every believer who makes himself available for congregational prayer that he makes sure that the rows are straightened and the gaps are filled.

Your Question: …..how much gap is need to be in legs

The absolutely majority of the scholars and jurists in Islam are of the opinion that one should not put their feet together while standing in their prayers, but must leave a reasonable gap or width between their legs. Although there is no exact width mentioned in the authentic and established Sunnah, the scholars are of the opinion that if one takes a normal stand and the gap between one’s legs is as wide as one’s shoulders, it would suffice.

Your Question: ….and whrere i keep my hands on stomuch.

The act of offering prayers is something the Messenger of Allah (saws) did in public for tens of thousands of times in front of tens of thousands of his companions. There are at least twenty authentic narrations from various witnesses who witnessed that the Messenger of Allah (saws) would cross his right hand over his left while standing in his prayers.

Fiqh-us-Sunnah Fiqh 1.131

Said Sahl ibn Sa'd, "The people were ordered to place their right hand on their left forearm during prayers." (Related by Bukhari and Muslim)

Al-Hafez related that the Prophet (saws) said, "All prophets have been ordered to hasten the breaking of the fast and to delay the (pre-fast dawn) meal, and to place our right hands on our left during prayer."

Jabir narrated that "The Prophet (saws) passed by a man praying with his left hand over his right, and (the Prophet (saws)) pulled them away and put his right over his left." (Related by Ahmad.)

Thus, in light of the above guidance what is absolutely certain is that the Messenger of Allah (saws) would hold his hands while in the state of ‘qiyaam’ in prayer.

Fiqh-us-Sunnah Fiqh 1.132

Sunnah acts of prayer, The Position of the Hands

Al-Kamal ibn al-Hamam is of the opinion, "There is no authentic hadith stating that one must place the hands under the chest or below the navel. According to the Hanifiyyah school of thought, the hands are to be placed below the navel, and according to the Shafiyyah school of thought below the chest. Ahmad has two narrations corresponding to these two opinions. The correct position is somewhere in the middle - to be equal."

Observes at-Tirmidhi, "Knowledgeable companions, their followers and those that came after them believed that one should put his right hand over the left during prayer, while some say above the navel and others say below the navel..." Nevertheless, there do exist hadith that the Prophet (saws) placed his hands on his chest. Reported Hulb at-Ta'i, "I saw the Prophet (saws) praying with his right hand over his left upon his chest above the elbow." This is related by Ahmad and at-Tirmidhi, who grades it as hassan.

Reported Wa'il ibn Hajr, "Once when I prayed with the Prophet (saws) and he placed his right hand over his left upon his chest." The report is recorded by Ibn Khuzaimah, who considers it as sahih, and by Abu Dawud and an-Nasa'i with the wording, "Then he put his right hand over the back of his left wrist and forearm."

In light of the above guidance and opinion of the eminent scholars, if one holds ones hands anywhere between one’s navel and one’s chest, it would be acceptable and in accordance with the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah (saws).

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

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

Burhan