The most worthy people of standing behind the Imam

Q 4: The Prophet (peace be upon him) used to straighten rows for Salah (Prayer) and say to his Sahabah (Companions), "Align yourselves and do not diverge. Let those of you who are of age and mature be near me." Who are those who are of age and mature? Please advise, may Allah reward you.

A: This Hadith was narrated by Ahmad, Muslim, Abu Dawud and Al-Tirmidhy from Abu Mas`ud (may Allah be pleased with him), from the Prophet (peace be upon him) that he stated, Let those standing near to me of you (in congregational Salah) be the mature and the prudent, then those next to them, then those next to them. Beware of the ruckus of the markets. It was said that this Hadith referred to mature people. It was also said that the mature referred to are those who reached the age of puberty. The meaning of this Hadith is that the Prophet (peace be upon him) ordered the wise adults offering congregational Salah with him to stand in the first row behind him in order to learn how he offers Salah, (Part No. 8; Page No. 18) and be able to lead people in Salah if something were to happen to him, and to remind him if he forgot anything in Salah. The ruckus of the market refers to the disagreement and the shouting which occurs in the market. The meaning here is to forbid disagreement, commotion and shouting as often takes place in the market.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.