May One Follow An Imam For Prayer Via Tv or Radio?

May one follow an imam for prayer via TV or radio?

It is a must of the congregational prayers that the congregation follows the imam. The imam and the congregation needs to be present in the same place for ensuring this. For this reason, even though a person who is not in the place where the imam is present establishes his prayer by making niyyay to follow the imam, his prayer will not be valid. Even a river that flows or a broad road that goes between the imam and congregation are considered obstacles for following an imam (Ibn Nujaym, al-Bahr, I, 384; II, 127; al-Fatawa al-Hindiyyah, I, 96). Accordingly, a prayer established by following an imam via TV or radio is not valid as the unity of place will not be ensured.

Source: Presidency Of Religious Affairs The Turkey, High Board of Religious Affairs FATWAS