Why there’s a gap during congregational prayers?

Salam Ramadhan Kareem to all beloved readers. It’s already 17th day of Ramadhan and I hope all of you are steadfast and consistent in performing ibadah such as tarawih, tadarus and zikr. Today, I’d like to highlight few reasons why jemaah don’t stand close to each other especially during tarawih prayers.

Distance Relationship Among People

I’ve learned about this during my Space Planning & Ergonomics class. According to Time Saver Standards for Interior Design and Space Planning, by Joseph De Chiara, Julies Panero & Martin Zelnik, most people has their own distance relationship. Take a look at the diagram below, it shows how relationship is related with the distance. Closer distance means more intimate relationship.
people-relationship-distance1.jpg
people-relationship-distance2.jpg
This is the reason why some people are not comfortable if a stranger is standing very close to us. Although this theory is applicable for interior design and space planning, as a Muslim, we are encouraged to stand close to each other. Every Muslim is brothers and sisters. Let’s break the barrier among us.

Other factors

Among other factors which create gaps between jemaah are personal items on the floor, body odour and fans. If one places his/her handphone or laptop on the floor while praying, he/she will hardly move to close the gap.

There’s quite few times in IIUM mosque, I can hardly stand the smell of some international students. Even Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) encourage Muslim to take bath, brush your teeth and apply perfume for prayers.

Lastly, it is quite hot at night in Malaysia. Some jemaah prefer to pray close to the ceiling fan so that they won’t sweat. Its hard for them to move and close the gap too.

In conclusion, I’d like to remind myself and all of you to make sure we always straighten our saf and close the gap. It is very crucial because it shows our unity as Muslim and unity means strength.

Additional reading about importance of straight saf

Till then, let us make the most of the last ten days of Ramadhan. May Allah bless you.