Filling a Void in a Row by Parting Through the Rows or Passing in Front of a Musalli

Q: Salaah-582: What is the ruling with regard to passing in front of a Musalli in the second row to fill a gap in the first row?

Answer: A row should be started only when the preceding row has been completed. Empty gaps should not be left. Shoomi3 quotes a Hadith in which Rasulullaah SAW. said, "Place the Imaam in the centre and fill all the gaps." It is wrong for a person to stand in a row when there is a gap in the row ahead of him. Therefore, it will be permissible to part through the back rows to fill a gap in front or to pass in front of as Musalli to do so. The guilt will fall to the person who failed in his duty to fill the gap. A Hadith states that when one sees a gap, it should be filled and if one fails to do so, another may even jump over his head to do so because he deserves no respect. Firdous has reported this from Hadhrat Abdullaah bin Abbaas RADI. Another Hadith states that the one who fills a gap will be forgiven. And Allaah knows best what is most correct.

Fatawa Rahimiyyah vol.2