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Me First, We First

Written by Abu Mamoon Ahmad Abdul Rahman ibn Azizur Rahman

May
12

I try my best to get a spot in the first row when attending congregational prayer at the Masjid. Al Bukhari reports that the holy prophet (pbuh) said:

If people know the reward of the first row and calling athan they would compete like arrows shooting for it.

In another hadith, in the Sunnah al Tirmithi, the holy prophet (pbuh) said,

Allah and His angels make salah on those in the front rows.
(#602, also in Sunan Ahmad in an authentic chain)

But sometimes I find when the iqama is being called someone decides to try and squeeze in between myself and the person next to me even though there is not enough space. Unfortunately my first reaction is frustration… but then by the Grace of Allah (SWT), He allows me to recognize and remember the hadith reported in Al Bukhari

None of you can truly be said to believe until he wants for his brother what he wants for himself.

This is when I decide to make as much room as I can for this brother who squeezed in only to obtain the pleasure of Allah (SWT) and follow the teachings of the holy prophet (phub). Sometimes when sitting reciting At-tahiyaat I find both my legs touching each other due to the lack of space, but I am consoled that Inshallah, Allah (SWT) will reward me for my intentional of wanting my brother to gain the same rewards of praying salat in the first row.

My dear brothers and sisters, if we (including myself) can start to focus more on how to help our fellow brothers and sisters achieve those rewards that we want for ourselves, and to help them achieve the best of this dunya as we want for ourselves, I am confident that it will positively affect our society as a whole.

May Allah (SWT) guide us to practice the teachings of the holy prophet (pbuh) and become more loving towards our fellow brothers and sisters. Ameen.

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