Is it permissible for people to pray in congregation while spread out from each other, with a distance between each person and the next?

The prayer of the worshippers is not invalidated by the presence of a space between them, because the straightening of the rows is a recommended Sunnah according to the majority of scholars and the four Imams. However, Ibn Hazm al-Zahiri held the view that straightening the rows, closing the gaps, and aligning shoulders and feet are obligatory, and he considered the failure to straighten the rows a major sin. Among those who chose the opinion of obligation is Sheikh Ibn Uthaymeen, who believes that not straightening the rows is a sin, but the prayer is not invalidated by it because straightening is obligatory for the prayer and not part of it. Therefore, worshippers must be diligent in straightening the rows and closing the gaps.