The Book of Prayers
4/28. Chapter:
Straightening The Rows; The Virtue Of The Front Row And Then The Next; Competing With One Another For The Front Row; The People Of Virtue Should Take Precedence And Be Closest To The Imam
Sahih Muslim
حَدَّثَنَا شَيْبَانُ بْنُ فَرُّوخَ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الْوَارِثِ، عَنْ عَبْدِ الْعَزِيزِ، - وَهُوَ ابْنُ صُهَيْبٍ - عَنْ أَنَسٍ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " أَتِمُّوا الصُّفُوفَ فَإِنِّي أَرَاكُمْ خَلْفَ ظَهْرِي " .
Anas b. Malik reported: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: Complete the rows, for I can see you behind my back.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 434In-book reference : Book 4, Hadith 138USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 4, Hadith 872