Section: It is disliked to pray in the maqsura (an enclosed area within the mosque) which is reserved. Ahmad explicitly stated this. It is reported from Ibn Umar that whenever the time for prayer came and he was in the maqsura, he would leave. Al-Ahnaf, Ibn Muhayriz, al-Sha'bi, and Ishaq also disliked it. Anas, al-Hasan, al-Husayn, al-Qasim, Salim, and Nafi' permitted it, because it is a place within the Jami' (congregational mosque), so prayer in it is not disliked, like the rest of the mosque. The reasoning for the first view is that people are prevented from praying in it, so it becomes (42) like usurped property, and for that reason, it is disliked. As for if it is not reserved, it is possible that prayer in it is not disliked, due to the absence of the resemblance to usurpation. It is also possible that it is disliked because it breaks the rows, so it resembles the space between the pillars. There is a difference of opinion reported from Ahmad regarding the first row. He said in one place: It is the one that adjoins the maqsura, because the maqsura is reserved. He also said: I do not know if the first row is the one that the minbar cuts off, or the one that adjoins it. The correct view is that it is the one the minbar cuts off, because it is the first in reality. If the one behind it were the first, it would lead (43) to the space adjoining the Imam being left empty. Furthermore, the companions of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) used to have the most virtuous among them next to him, and if the first row were behind the minbar, they would have stood there.

Section: It is recommended for one who becomes drowsy [on Friday to move from (44) his place; because of what Ibn Umar reported, saying: I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) say: "If] (45) one of you becomes drowsy on Friday in his sitting place, let him move to another." Recorded by Abu Mas'ud Ahmad ibn al-Furat (46) in his "Sunan", and Imam Ahmad in his "Musnad" (47). This is because moving from his place diverts sleep from him.