Does Praying in a Row by Myself Invalidate My Prayer?

Answered by Ustadh Tabraze Azam

Question

Is a man’s prayer invalid if he prays in congregation yet stands in a row by himself?

Answer

I pray that this message finds you well, insha’Allah.

No, praying in a row by yourself is not invalidating. Rather, it may be disliked if there is space in the row ahead of you, but in any case, it doesn’t affect the validity of the prayer.

See also: How Should Two Persons Pray Together?

And Allah alone knows best.

wassalam,

[Ustadh] Tabraze Azam
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Ustadh Tabraze Azam holds a BSc in Computer Science from the University of Leicester, where he also served as the President of the Islamic Society. He memorized the entire Qur’an in his hometown of Ipswich at the tender age of sixteen, and has since studied the Islamic Sciences in traditional settings in the UK, Jordan, and Turkey. He is currently pursuing advanced studies in Jordan, where he is presently based with his family.