Straightening the Rows and Joining the Feet

[bamalli]

Straightening the Rows and Joining the Feet
Shaykh Muhammad Naasir ud-Deen al-Albaanee rahimahullaah
Translated by Oways al-Haashimee
An Abandoned Sunnah that must be Revived [1]
There are many authentic Ahadeeth from the sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam concerned with the command to straighten the rows (for congregational prayer), and so this is rarely hidden from any of the students of (Islaamic) knowledge let alone their teachers. However it remains unknown to many that straightening the rows requires straightening it with the feet, not just the shoulders. Indeed we have often heard some of the Imaams of the Masaajid (Mosques) pointing out - when ordering the people to straighten the rows - that the Sunnah is to do so with the shoulders to the exclusion of the feet! Since this is contrary to what is established in the authentic Sunnah, I thought it necessary to mention some Ahadeeth that exist on this topic, as a reminder for whoever wishes to act in accordance with the authentic Sunnah, not being deceived by the widespread customs and habits present in the Ummah.
There are two authentic Ahadeeth on this topic: The first is the Hadith reported by Anas, and the second is that reported by An-Nu'maan ibn Basheer, may Allaah be pleased with them both.
As for the Hadith of Anas, then it as follows; The Hadith of Anas ibn Maalik. [The Prophet (SAAS) said:] "Straighten your rows and come close together, for indeed I see you behind my back" The Hadith is reported by al-Bukharee [2/176 - al-Fath, Boolaaq edition], Ahmad [3/182 and 263], and al-Mukhallis in al-Fawaa'id [1/10/2], all of them reporting via a number of transmission paths (turuq sing. tareeq) from Humayd at-Taweel who said Anas ibn Maalik narrated to us saying:
"The call for commencing of salaah was made, the Messenger of Allaah sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam turned to us and said..." (then he mention the above Hadith). Al-Bukhaaree adds in one narration of this Hadith: "(He turned to us and said) before pronouncing the opening takbeer..." Also adding at the end "...each of us would adjoin his shoulder with that of his companion (standing next to him) and his foot with that of his companion."
This addition also occurs in the report of al-Mukhallis and Ibn Abee Shaybah [1/351] with the follow