Question
There is a wall in the middle of the Masjid that separates the rows. The Imam leads the prayer to the left side of the wall. Will those standing in the first row to the right of the wall get the reward of praying in the first row?
بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيْم
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Answer
The first row refers to that row which is immediately after the Imam. Despite there being a wall in the middle of the first row, those standing to the right side of the wall would still be considered standing in the first row, hence they will also receive the reward of the first row inshaAllah.
Sharhul Nawawi ala Sahih Muslim: v. 2, p. 300 (Bushra)
Only Allah knows best
Written by Maulana Mohammad Ahsan Osmani
Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham