Sayyiduna Bara’ bin Azib (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) used to come to us (at the time of arranging rows). He would straighten our shoulders and chests with his blessed hand and say:“Your rows should not be crooked, otherwise your hearts will also become crooked. Indeed, Allah the Exalted sends His mercy upon the first row or the first rows, and His angels pray for their forgiveness.”

Abu Basir narrates that when I came to Madinah Munawwarah, I met Sayyiduna Ubayy bin Ka'b (may Allah be pleased with him). In another narration, it is mentioned that we visited Sayyiduna Ubayy bin Ka'b (may Allah be pleased with him) during his illness, and he narrated a hadith from the Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). Both narrators further stated these words: "Indeed, the first row is like the row of angels. And if you knew its virtue, you would try to outdo one another to attain it."

Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) reports that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: "If people were to know the reward for giving the adhan and for (praying in) the first row, they would draw lots for it."

It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah, may Allah be pleased with him, that the Noble Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "If people knew, or if you knew, how great the reward and merit of the first row is, then only by drawing lots would it be decided (who would stand in the first row)."

Sayyiduna Bara’ bin Azib (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), at the time of arranging the rows, would walk from one end of the row to the other. He (peace be upon him) would straighten our shoulders and chests with his blessed hand and would say:“Do not differ among yourselves (do not stand ahead or behind one another), otherwise your hearts will also differ.”Sayyiduna Bara’ (may Allah be pleased with him) says that he (peace be upon him) used to say:“Indeed, Allah the Exalted sends His mercy upon those who join the first rows, and His angels pray for their forgiveness.”And I think he also said:“Adorn the Qur’an with your beautiful voices.”

It is narrated from Sayyiduna Bara bin Azib (may Allah be pleased with him). He says that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) would come to one side of the row and straighten the chests and shoulders of the worshippers and would say: "Do not differ among yourselves, lest your hearts also differ. Surely, Allah Almighty and His angels send blessings upon the first rows."

Sayyiduna Irbad bin Sariyah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) would supplicate for forgiveness three times for those in the first row and once for those in the second row.

Lady Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Some people will continue to remain behind from the first row until Allah will cast them into Hell."

Sayyiduna Abu Sa'id (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) entered the mosque and saw some people in the back part of the mosque. He asked: "What has kept you back?" Some people will continue to remain behind until Allah will keep them behind. Move forward and follow me, and those who come after you should follow you."

Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) reports that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "The best rows for men are the first ones and the worst are the last ones, and the best rows for women are the last ones and the worst are the first ones."