Young boys offering Salah in the first row

Q 2: Is it permissible for young boys to offer Salah (Prayer) in the first row behind the Imam in congregational Salah? Kindly give us the legal opinion concerning this controversial issue. May Allah save you.

A: It is authentically reported in the Sunnah (whatever is reported from the Prophet) that it is a priority that the people of knowledge and piety should stand in the first row while offering Salah behind the Imam, as they are more worthy than others of honoring. Furthermore, the Imam might need someone to replace him for any reason, and as such, a knowledgeable person should substitute him in this case. In addition to that, they are more eligible to correct any mistake the Imam might commit while reciting or forgetting certain Ayahs and the like, which others may not notice. There are many Hadiths that indicate that, as it has been authentically reported in Sahih Muslim and others on the authority of `Abdullah ibn Mas`ud, (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace be upon him) (Part No. 6; Page No. 334) said: “Let those (standing) near to me of you (in congregational prayer) be the mature and the wise, then those next to them, then those next to them.” It is also authentically reported from the Hadith of Anas ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) that he said: “The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) loved that the Muhajirun (Emigrants from Makkah to Madinah) and the Ansar (Helpers, inhabitants of Madinah who supported the Prophet) should stand behind him in Salah so that they would learn from him.” (Related by Ahmad and Ahl-ul-Sunan [authors of Hadith compilations classified by jurisprudential themes] except for Abu Dawud through a good Sanad [chain of narrators])May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.