How rows are formed and filled, what happens when imam and followers disagree on the rak'ah count, giving a luqma, and where a woman may stand.
When people pray together, there are rules about how they stand, how they act if something goes wrong, and how the imam and followers deal with each other.
How rows are formed behind an imam.
How people line up
1If there's only one follower (a man or a boy), they stand right next to the imam, not behind.
2If a second person joins, the first person quietly steps back so both can stand in a row behind the imam.
3The rows go in this order: men first, then boys, then women at the very back.
4Rows should be straight, with shoulders lined up, nobody standing too far forward or back.
5If there's still room in the front row, it's not great manners to stand in the row behind it instead.
Makrūhbetter not to
Followers must copy the imam's actions without delay, and moving ahead of him, bowing or standing up before he does, is not allowed, except when the imam has clearly made a mistake, like standing up for an extra rak'ah that isn't there.
The imam should keep going smoothly with the recitation instead of pausing and waiting for someone to help him remember a word (called giving a luqma). Followers shouldn't jump in with a luqma the second the imam pauses, only if it's really needed. Jumping in too fast is disliked.
Where there is only one Muqtadi (male or a young boy), they should stand directly beside the Imam. If a second person joins, they should form a row behind the Imam rather than standing beside him; if the second person joins after the first is already standing beside the Imam, the first should move back slightly to let both fall into a row, and if the first does not move, the second may gently pull them back rather than the first moving unprompted.
How rows are formed behind an imam.
The order and shape of the rows
1The men's rows come first.
2Then the rows of young boys.
3Then the rows of hermaphrodites, followed by the rows of women.
4Finally, the rows of young girls.
5The rows should be straight, with shoulders aligned, and no one standing noticeably ahead of or behind the rest.
Makrūhbetter not to
Followers must follow the Imam in every action, such as Ruku and Sujood, without delay. Going ahead of the Imam, or rising before him, is makruh, except where the Imam himself has erred (for instance, standing for an extra, mistaken rak'ah), in which case the followers need not strictly follow him.
Makrūhbetter not to
It is makruh tahreemi for the Imam to prolong lengthy Surahs, or to delay unnecessarily in Ruku or Sujood; the Imam should account for the needs and weaknesses of the followers, and where necessary it is better to shorten the recitation to the minimum prescribed rather than to prolong it.
If the Imam has completed the recitation required of him, he should proceed to Ruku; otherwise he should move straight on to the next verse rather than pausing in silence and inviting the followers to offer a luqma (a prompted word). Followers, for their part, should not be quick to offer a luqma the instant the Imam pauses, and should only do so where there is a genuine need; offering it immediately is makruh.
Where there is a single muqtadī (male, or a discerning boy), he stands directly beside the imam rather than behind. On a second muqtadī joining, the two form a ṣaff behind the imam; where the second arrives after the first has already taken position beside the imam, the first draws back of his own accord to complete the row, or, failing that, may be gently drawn back by the newcomer rather than moving unprompted himself.
The formation of rows (ṣufūf) behind an imam.
The order and configuration of the ṣufūf
1The rows of men stand foremost.
2Followed by the rows of pre-adolescent boys.
3Followed by the rows of khunthā (hermaphrodites), then the rows of women.
4Finally, the rows of young girls.
5The rows must be aligned (taswiyah), shoulders even, with no individual noticeably advanced or retarded relative to the rest.
Makrūhbetter not to
The muqtadīn must follow the imam in every act, rukūʿ, sujūd and the rest, without delay; anticipating him, whether in bowing or in rising, is makrūh, save where the imam has himself erred (as by rising for a mistaken extra rakʿah), in which case strict following is not required of them.
Makrūhbetter not to
It is makrūh taḥrīmī for the imam to prolong lengthy sūrahs, or to linger unduly in rukūʿ or sujūd; he is to have regard for the capacity and weaknesses of those behind him, and where the need arises it is preferable to reduce the recitation to the minimum prescribed rather than to prolong it.
Where the imam has completed the recitation due from him, he proceeds directly to rukūʿ; otherwise he moves on to the next āyah rather than pausing in silence to invite a luqmah. The muqtadīn, for their part, should not be quick to supply a luqmah the instant the imam pauses, doing so only where a genuine need is apparent; an immediate offer is makrūh.