Section: If a hermaphrodite (khuntha mushkil) is alone with the Imam, the correct view is that he should make him stand to his right, because if he is a man, he has stood in his [proper] position, and if he is a woman, her prayer is not invalidated by her standing with the Imam, just as it is not invalidated by her standing with men. It is not permissible for him to stand alone, because it is possible that he is a man. If a man is with them, the man stands to the right of the Imam, and the hermaphrodite to his left, or to the right of the man, and they should not stand behind him, because it is possible that he is a woman, except according to those who permit a woman to form a row. If another man is with them, the three stand behind him in a row, for the reason we have mentioned. If another hermaphrodite is with the hermaphrodite, our companions said: The two hermaphrodites stand in a row behind the two men, because it is possible that they are two women. It is also possible that they stand with the two men, because it is possible that one of them alone is a man, so his prayer would not be valid. If there are women with them, they stand behind the hermaphrodites. Abu al-Khattab said: If men, boys, hermaphrodites, and women are gathered, the men go forward, then the boys, then the hermaphrodites, then the women. Abu Malik al-Ash'ari narrated from his father that he said: Shall I not tell you about the prayer of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him)? He said: He established the prayer, then lined up the men, and lined up the boys behind them, then he prayed with them. [Then he said: This is how his prayer was.] Abd al-A'la said: I do not think he said anything other than: "The prayer of my nation." Narrated by Abu Dawood.

Section: It is the Sunnah that those of merit and age should advance to the first row, and that those who are most complete and excellent among them should be closest to the Imam. Ahmad said: The elders and the people of the Qur'an should be closest to the Imam, while boys and youths should be placed further back and should not be closest to the Imam, due to what was narrated by Abu Mas'ud al-Ansari, who said: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) used to say...