Is there extra reward for praying in the first row?
Yes, there is extra reward for praying in the first row. The Prophet ﷺ said that if people knew its reward, they would draw lots for it. For men in a mixed congregation, the first row is the best; for women praying behind the men, the last rows are described as best.
What the Prophet ﷺ said
The clearest hadith is this: "If the people knew what reward there is in the call to prayer and the first row, and they found no way to get it except by drawing lots, they would draw lots" (Sahih al-Bukhari 615). The same hadith goes on to praise coming early to prayer. He ﷺ also said that the best rows for men are the first and the worst are the last, while the best rows for women are the last and the worst are the first (Sahih Muslim 440). Scholars explain this was about women praying in the same open space behind men; the further back, the more privacy. Where sisters have their own hall, their own front row is fine and rewarded too.
Why the first row matters
The first row belongs to the people who came early, close to the imam, ready before the prayer begins. It reflects a heart that hurries toward good. Allah praises those who race ahead in good deeds:
Many scholars also mention narrations that Allah and His angels send blessings on those in the front rows. The right side of a row is often mentioned as better than the left, but filling the row in order matters more than squeezing to one side.
Good manners in the row
- Come early instead of stepping over people to get to the front. Pushing through a seated crowd on a Friday is disliked.
- Fill the front rows first. Don't start a new row while there are gaps ahead.
- Stand shoulder to shoulder and straighten the row. The Prophet ﷺ said, "Straighten your rows, for straightening the rows is part of establishing the prayer" (Sahih al-Bukhari 723).
- Leave space for knowledge. The Prophet ﷺ liked people of understanding to stand just behind the imam, so they could correct or replace him if needed.
What if I can't reach it?
Don't worry if you arrive late, have kids with you, or feel shy as a new Muslim. The reward of praying in congregation is still yours in any row. Sometimes a back spot is the wiser choice, for example if you might need to leave with a child. See Can I bring my kids to the mosque? When you do arrive early, pray two rak'ahs on entering, then sit in the front. See What is tahiyyat al-masjid?
- The first row has a special reward (Sahih al-Bukhari 615).
- For men the front rows are best; for women behind men, the back.
- Fill rows in order and keep them straight.
- Arrive early rather than stepping over people.
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