Praying alone behind a row

Question:

A man prayed behind a row by himself, and after a couple units of prayer someone else came and joined him.

What is the ruling on this?

Answer:

The differing of the people of knowledge in this subject is extensive, and the closest to what is correct, and Allah knows best, is:

If an individual did not find anyone to pray with them in the new row, and did not find any space in the row in front of them, and could not pray on the right side of the Imām.

Then it is obligatory upon them to wait for someone to come and pray alongside them.

Even if they missed the whole prayer.

He will receive the reward of the prayer in congregation, with the permission of Allah, due to having had taken the means to pray in congregation, but something prevented him from entering in the row, due to no negligence on his behalf.

Elaboration on this principle has already taken place previously.

For verily if they were to pray by behind the row alone; their prayer would be invalid.

Due to the hadīth of ‘Ali bin Shaybān, may Allah be pleased with him, that the Prophet ﷺ saw a man pray behind a row (alone), and when he departed, he ﷺ said:

(استقبل صلاتك؛ فإنه لا صلاة لمنفرد خلف الصف)

“Go to your prayer; for their is no prayer for the lone person  behind the row.”
[Narrated by Ibn Maajah, Ahmed & others]

This negation is clear in negating the validity of the prayer, and there is no proof which indicates that the negation is in regards to the perfection or the completeness of the prayer.

And due to hadīth of Wābisah bin Ma’bad that the Prophet ﷺ saw a man praying behind a row alone, and order him to repeat his prayer.
Narrated by Abu Dauud and Tirmidhi & other than them.

And ‘Allāmah Ibn Baaz, may Allah have mercy upon him, has a concise beneficial speech in pointing to that this is what is considered most correct.
Whereby he said:

✉️”From ‘Abdul-‘Azīz bin ‘Abdullah bin Bāz to the honorable respected Dr  …., may Allah protect him.

سلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته، وبعد:

I direct you to the answer of your question attached to the committee of knowledge based researches and fatawaa with the number: 3231 on the 15/8/1407H.

Wherein you ask concerning my thoughts on what you have come across of the position of Ibn Taymiyyah on the ruling praying alone behind a row.

I wish to inform you that I have come across the speech of Shaykh-Ul-Islām Ibn Taymiyyah, may Allah have mercy upon him, which you have added to your letter.Concerning the position of the validity of the prayer of a lone individual behind a row out of necessity.

It is a strong position without doubt but that which is most correct, and that which is more so in agreement to the apparent of the Sunnah, is the lack of validity.

And it is due to three reasons:

➖Firstly:
The generality of his ﷺ statement:

(لا صلاة لمنفرد خلف الصف)

“There is no prayer for the lone person behind a row.”

And he ﷺ didn’t make exceptions.

➖Secondly:
That he ﷺ ordered those that prayed alone behind the row to repeat their prayer, and did not make exceptions for if they found someone or not.

If they were excused for not finding anyone he would of made this exception known.

And it is well known with the people of knowledge that delaying clarifications past the time they are needed is not permissible.

➖Thirdly:
That this wards away any negligance with what relates to someone praying behind the row alone with the claim that there was not anyone to start a row with.

While most of the time it is the case that if it was not for hastiness, they would be able to find a opening to stand in or to find a place next to the Imām.

May Allah grant everyone success to what contains the pleasure of Allah.

السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته.
[End of speech]

Upon what has preceded:
If he performed the opening Takbīr of the prayer, alone behind the row, and someone joined him before descending into the Rukū’ bowing, then that unit and the prayer is valid.

And if someone joined him after the passing of some units –as it comes in the question– then he has to repeat the prayer.

And this is what ‘Allāmah Al-Fawzān, may Allah preserve him, also gave as legal ruling in this affair.

And Allah knows best.

Answered by:
Shaykh Abu Hatim Yusuf Al-‘Inaabi Al-Jazaa’iree – may Allah preserve him.

Source:
t.me/abouhatem/181

Answered on:
25th, Rabee’ Al-Awwal, 1438H.

Translated by:
Abu ‘Abdirrahman ‘Abdullaah bin Ahmed Ash-Shingaani.