It is a legal rule that the position of the wife during congregational prayer is to be behind the husband. However, what is the position of the husband and wife when praying in congregation in a narrow space ?
The Position of Prayer for Husband and Wife Taught in Islam
There is no denying that there are some places or places of stay that have limited space. In this case, Islam facilitates the prayer of husband and wife by allowing changes in the prayer position of husband and wife in a narrow house.
According to the Federal Territories Mufti’s Office through a hadith from Anas bin Malik RA:
أَنَّ جَدَّتَهُ مُلَيْكَةَ called the Messenger of God, may God’s prayers and peace be upon him, for the food he made for him, so he ate from it, and the people said فَلِأُصَلِّ لَكُمْ, فَقَامَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ, وَسَفَتُ وَاليَيِيمَ وَرَاءَهُ, وَالَْجُوزُ مِنْ وَرَائِنَا, فَصَلَّى لَنَا رَسُولُ God bless him and grant him peace.
Meaning:“That his grandmother named Mulaikah invited the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) to eat the food she had cooked.
So he ate the food and said: “Get up so that I may pray with you all.” Then the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) stood up to pray, and he placed me and an orphan behind him, and the old woman (grandmother) behind us.
Then he prayed two rak’ahs with us and then left.”
According to Imam al-Nawawi (may Allah have mercy on him):
“If those present to perform the prayer consist of men, children , the khunsa group and women, then the men come first, then the children, then the khunsa group, then the women.”
ReferencesAl-Majmu’ Sharah Al-Muhadzab(4/293)
Based on the hadith, it is clear that the position of women in prayer is behind the male imam and followers.
The Position of Husband and Wife’s Prayer in Narrow Places or Limited Spaces
However, Ustaz Azhar Idrus is of the opinion that if a married couple has to pray in a narrow space, then the wife is allowed to pray on the husband’s left side.
The position on husband and wife prayers was also explained by the Federal Territories Mufti Office through an article published,
“If a female follower is in front of the male row as long as she is not in front of the imam, or if a female follower prays next to the imam or next to a male follower, then the woman’s prayer is valid, as is the man’s prayer, without any error on our part.”
ReferencesAl-Majmu’ Sharah Al-Muhadzab(4/297)
Here it is explained that if there is a need, the wife is allowed to pray on the husband’s left side.
The requirements mentioned here are like congregational prayers in a narrow space that makes it difficult to maintain the original congregational prayer position.
Prayer Rulings for Wives Sitting on the Left Side of the Imam
According to the Federal Territories Mufti’s Office, a wife who prays on her husband’s left side due to the narrow prayer space is considered valid.
Based on the above information, the ruling for a wife who prays on her husband’s left side does not invalidate the prayer, it is not forbidden, nor is it disliked, but it is only stated if the prayer space is narrow due to necessity.
We have included a video explaining this situation according to Ustaz Azhar Idrus as a reference.
In conclusion, the position of a husband and wife in prayer is not fixed and can change according to the situation. However, the arrangement must follow the manners and order of rows recommended in Islam, such as the wife standing behind the husband to maintain the concentration of the prayer .
Hope this article is useful.
Republished with permission from theAsianParent Malaysia
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