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Fatwa CenterHow to move to fill a gap in the row ahead during prayer
Question
While moving ahead during salaah to fill a recently left space in front, is it right that the right leg should be taken first and that one should not move like he is walking normally but the left leg should be landed beside the right and not ahead even when one is yet to reach the empty space? Besides, what should the maximum distance be between two rows?
Answer
All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad 
is His slave and Messenger.
According to the Sunnah, rows should be close to each other in such a way that leaves no space for another now between every two rows. Some scholars said that this distance is three cubits (about one and a half meters).
If one found that there is a gap in the front row that does not require much walking to fill it, then it is recommended for him to move to fill it because we are commanded to complete the rows the first one, then the one behind it. Moreover, when one moves to fill such a gap, he is not required to move in any certain way such as the one mentioned in the question.
On the other hand, if the distance required to fill this gap was short (one or two steps), then one should move to fill it. However, if the distance was long and requires much movement, then it is impermissible for one to move to fill it because much consecutive movement during prayer invalidates it. Nevertheless, there is no harm if one moved interruptedly to fill this remote gap in such a way that does not make his movement seem consecutive according to the customs of people.
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