Assalaamu Alaiykum warahmatullahi Wabarakaatuh,
Dear Respected Mufti Saheb,
Im an Imaam at a Masjid in Pretoria town and most of the musallees that come for Salaah here are foreigners. Since I have been here there is a continuous battle regarding standing in the saff for Saaah. I try my level best to ensure that the saffs are straightened, however many of these musallees argue and say that Im doing a great injustice in the sense that I dont ensure that the feet of one person touches the feet of the next person, rather should I say that the toes of the one person should touch that of the next persons toes. I hope you understand what I mean. Nevertheless they say that there is a Hadith that clearly states this fact, which hadith are they referring to? And what is the explanation of this specific Hadith? Could you kindly site other Ahaadith relating to straightening the saffs which are authentic and also the explanations given by the Muhadditheen with regards to standing in the saff and the correct method of standing in the saff? How do I explain and make them understand that the way they are standing in Salaah is not correct? Jazakallah and May Allah reward you abundantly in this world and Aaakhirah, Aameen.
Noman Shaikh.
