It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Mas’ud (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: The wise and intelligent among you should certainly, certainly stand close to me, then those who are nearest to them (in intellect and understanding) should stand after them, then those who are nearest to the people of the second rank should stand, and do not differ from one another (in forming rows), otherwise your hearts will become opposed to each other, and avoid the mixing and tribulations of the marketplaces.

Sayyiduna Abu Mas'ud Ansari (may Allah be pleased with him) says: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) would touch our shoulders when forming rows for prayer and would say: "Stand straight and do not stand differently, otherwise your hearts will become different from one another. Those among you who are wise and intelligent should definitely stand closest to me, then those who are nearest to them (in understanding and intellect), then those who are nearest to the second group." Sayyiduna Abu Mas'ud Ansari (may Allah be pleased with him) said: (People!) Today you have fallen into much discord because of this very reason.

Sayyiduna Anas bin Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) says: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) liked that the Muhajirun and Ansar stand close to him in prayer so that they could acquire (knowledge and practice) from him.

Qais bin ‘Abad says: I came to Madinah to meet the Companions of Muhammad, the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him). Of the people I wanted to meet, the most beloved to me was Sayyiduna Ubayy (may Allah be pleased with him). The iqamah was called for prayer and Sayyiduna ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) came out with the other Companions. I was standing in the first row. A man came, looked at the faces of the people, and recognized everyone except me. He moved me back and stood in my place. (Because of anger) I could not concentrate on my prayer. When he finished the prayer, he said to me: My dear son! May Allah not harm you. What I did to you was not out of ignorance. The fact is that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) instructed us: Stand in the row that is closest to me. I looked at the faces of the people and recognized all of them except you, (that is why I moved you back). Then he began to admonish and advise the people. I saw the people stretching their necks towards him in a manner I had never seen before. In his sermon, he also said: By the Lord of the Ka‘bah! The oath-takers (the rulers) have perished. Beware! I do not grieve for them, I grieve for those Muslims who will perish because of them. (Suddenly I realized that) this was Sayyiduna Ubayy (may Allah be pleased with him) himself. This hadith is narrated in the words of Sulaiman bin Dawood.