[orgagsUpsepsy]

Assalamu Alaikum,

The congregation has already started. You walk into the masjid late and you find the first row to be full. You are only person who can start the second row. You know that no one else is coming to join the jama'ah (so that you can wait).

A few questions in this scenario:
1) Do you tap someone from the middle, the extreme right or the extreme left of the first row? Assume that all of them are knowledgeable and will know what the tap indicates.

2) Let's say you have tapped someone from the middle and he steps back to join you. What do the others in the first row do? Do they all adjust positions until there is no gap left?

Answers as per the Shafi'i school would be much appreciated (if of course, there is ikhtilaaf to begin with).

Jazakumullah Khair

Wassalam

[diemeareendup]

tap on the extreme right is best. I was only taught to tap on the two ends of the saff. if for what ever reason there is a gap in the middle of the saff then its best that the musallis just stay still & let someone fill-so dont ajust positions. to move to the side is only best if you at the end & only you move.there will be a great disturbance if the whole saff moves.

Allahu a'lam