Q: Where do the rows for prayer start? Do they start from (directly) behind the imam or from the right-hand side?

A: The first row for the prayer starts from behind the imam and stretches to the right and left sides, and it does not start from the right-hand side – as is mentioned in the question.

Likewise the second row and the rows which proceed it (should be formed in the same way).

[Source: Fataawaa Islaamiyyah, The Permanent Committee, 1/223]