May One Stand For Prayer In The Back Row When There Is A Space In The Front Row?

May one stand for prayer in the back row when there is a space in the front row?

It is one of the etiquettes of the prayer to comply with the arrangement and order of rows while performing prayer in congregation. Imams should pay attention to this matter and, when needed, warn the congregation to arrange rows in a proper manner to its procedure. The Prophet Muhammad (saw) paid attention to straightening and compacting rows before starting to establish prayer and warned his companions on several occasions not to leave space between rows (Bukhari, Adhan, 71,72; Muslim, Salat, 128).

Accordingly, it is not permissible to follow the imam from back rows while there is space in the front rows. However, prayers of people who follow the imam outside rows due to their excuses are valid.

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