(43) باب فِي الصُّفُوفِ عَلَى الْجَنَازَةِ
Narrated Malik ibn Hubayrah:
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: If any Muslim dies and three rows of Muslims pray over him, it will assure him (of Paradise). When Malik considered those who accompanied a bier to be a few, he divided them into three rows in accordance with this tradition.
Reference: Sunan Abi Dawud 3166
In-book reference: Book 21, Hadith 78
English translation: Book 20, Hadith 3160