Which is regarded as the first row when some people pray next to the imam?
Question

                We have a prayer room in our school, but it is not big enough for all the students and some students stand in a row next to the imam. Is the row that is nest to the imam the first row, even though it happens every day?.
Praise be to Allah.
    The first row is that which is behind the imam. So the row 
    that is directly behind the imam is the first row, and those who form a row 
    to his right and his left will not have the reward of the first row, because 
    this standing -- meaning members of the congregation standing on the right 
    and on the left -- is something that is permitted but it is not mustahabb. 
    Standing behind the imam is undoubtedly the Sunnah, but if someone is forced 
    to stand on his right or on his left, they may do so but that is not 
    regarded as the first row. 

    Question: even though this happens every day throughout the 
    year? 

    Shaykh: There is no problem with that in any case. This thing 
    is permissible, to Allaah be praise. Their standing on his right and on his 
    left is better than their waiting until the first group has finished. End 
    quote. 

    Shaykh Muhammad ibn’Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him)