23/11/2017
*IS IT A REQUIREMENT TO JOIN FEET IN SWALAH?*
This is a subject of difference of opinion. My purpose of highlighting this topic is due to the high tension between those who do and those who dont, to the extent of some brothers avoiding praying in Masaajid which follow the other opinion. And there is the feeling that those who do not touch feet are against sunnah or do not have evidence to justify their view. To reconcile, i would like highlight the points of view of the brothers who view that it is a not a must to touch feet in swalah.
1) Of all the hadiths I came accross on the topic I have not seen any direct speech from Rasulullaah salallaahu alayhi wassalaam instructing to *touch/join* feet in swalah.
2) And I read that the verdict of all the widely accepted four madhabs/schools of thought of Imam Abuhanifa, Imam Malik, Imam Shafi and Imam Ahmad that it is *not a must* to touch feet
3) The part where feet is mentioned is a hadith by Numan bin Bishar in Abu Dawud and a report by a narrator, al Ma'mar that the sahaba (Anas bin Malik) *observed* as reported in Bukhari:
The hadith of 'Anas ibn Malik. [The Prophet said:]
*"Straighten your rows and COME CLOSE together, for indeed I see you behind my back"*
The hadith is reported by Al-Bukhari (2/176)
In Fath - Baari, the explanation of al Bukhari, the narrator reports in one narration of this hadith that Anas R.A added his commentary " ... each of us would adjoin his shoulder with that of his companion (standing next to him) and his foot with that of his companion. Had I done this with any of them today, he would have fled like a wild ass’"
NB
This clearly indicates that after the demise of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) Sayyiduna Anas did not join his ankles with people standing next to him in prayer. If it was a sunnah practice, the Sahaba, Tabieen, Tabi-tabieen would not have forsaken something instructed by Rasulullaah salallaahu alayhi wassalaam, and there is no reason for them to dislike it and flee like asses.
The hadith narrated by al-Nu’maan ibn Basheer who said:
“The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) turned to face the people and said, *‘Straighten your rows,’ three times, ‘for by Allaah either you straighten your rows or Allaah will create division among your hearts.’*
And I saw men standing shoulder to shoulder, knee to knee, ankle to ankle.”
(Abu Dawood, 662)
Since there is no direct speech of Rasulullaah salallaahu alayhi wassalaam on touching feet, the interpretation given of these hadiths with respect to all other hadiths in this topic is straightening the rows and standing close together.
Shoulder to shoulder, knee to knee and feet to feet observation by the sahaba is likened to the statement *"bumper to bumper"* hence likewise interpreted as very close but not touching.
NB
Since there were no lines drawn on the floor as we have in today's masjid, the sahaba used to align themselves by looking at the alignment/straightness of the body parts e.g. shoulders, knees, feet and *even necks* as mentioned in some hadith.
4) This interpretation is preferred because practicing the other interpretation of the observation of a sahaba would mean joining shoulders, feet as well as knees which is almost impossible to join the 3 parts
Furthermore since people are of different height... how can a man of 6 feet stand with his shoulders, knees and feet in contact with that of a man of 5 feet height?
5) This interpretation is preferred also because it is almost impossible to keep contact of the body parts in all postures of salah ie qawma, rukoo, sujood, tashahud.... why should the contact be in some parts of the salah and not the whole... is there any evidence for that?
*Let us accept the differences in opinion and not create enmity with our fellow Muslim brothers who follow a contrary opinion especially those which have been established in the 4 madhabs (schools of thought)*
And Allah subhaanahu wata'ala knows best!
