Devils in Gaps - Stand Shoulder to Shoulder

The Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “Straighten your rows, and do not let the devils come in between you like the children of the hadhaf.” He was asked, “O Messenger of Allah, what are the children of the hadhaf?” He said, “Locusts in the land of Yemen.” [Ahmad]

If the rows of people praying are solid, with no gaps, then the devils cannot go between the worshippers. But if gaps are left between the worshippers, then the devils dance in and out of the rows of worshippers.

In another hadith, the Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “Straighten your rows, and make them solid (with no gaps), for by the One in Whose Hand is my soul, I can see the devils among your rows, like dust-coloured sheep.” [Abu Dawood al-Tayaalisi]

These ahadith remind us that we cannot afford to be lazy or negligent with regard to any matter as the devils lie in wait for our carelessness to ambush us. Stand shoulder to shoulder in Jamaat as one solid, single body.