In this chapter, there is also a report from Qurrah ibn Iyās al-Muzanī.

The ḥadīth of Anas is a ḥasan ḥadīth.

Some scholars disliked that one pray in the gaps between the pillars, and this is the view of Aḥmad and Isḥāq.

Other scholars permitted that.

Chapter 57: What has been reported concerning praying alone behind the row

227 — Hannād narrated to us, saying: Abū al-Aḥwaṣ narrated to us, from Ḥuṣayn, from Hilāl ibn Yasāf, who said:

Ziyād ibn Abī al-Jaʿd took my hand while we were in al-Raqqah, and he stood me before an old man called Wābiṣah ibn Maʿbad, from the tribe of Asad. Ziyād said: This old man told me that a man prayed alone behind the row — while the old man was listening — and the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, commanded him to repeat the prayer.

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And [it is also found in] "Ṣaḥīḥ Ibn Ḥibbān" (2218).

It has a supporting witness from the ḥadīth of Qurrah ibn Iyās al-Muzanī, recorded by al-Ṭayālisī (1073) and Ibn Mājah (1002), and it was declared authentic by Ibn Khuzaymah (1567) and Ibn Ḥibbān (2219). Its chain is ḥasan when considered with its supporting witnesses.

The reason for the prohibition is the breaking of the row, and that is what the chapter heading indicates. There is no disagreement regarding its permissibility when the space is narrow. As for when there is ample space, it is disliked for the congregation. As for one praying alone, there is no harm in it. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, prayed inside the Kaʿbah between its pillars. This was noted by Abū Bakr ibn al-ʿArabī in "al-ʿĀriḍah" 2/27–28.

(1) A ṣaḥīḥ ḥadīth, also recorded by Aḥmad (18002) and Ibn Mājah (1004), and declared authentic by =