While Establishing Prayer At Al-Masjid Al-Haram İn Congregation, Will The Prayers Of Those Who Stand Beyond The İmam’s Row Be Valid?

While establishing prayer at al-Masjid al-Haram in congregation, will the prayers of those who stand beyond the imam’s row be valid?

According to Hanafi, Shafi’i, and Hanbali schools, it is a must for the congregation not to stand in front of the imam while establishing prayer in congregation even around the Ka’bah. Therefore, if the congregation located on the side of the imam stands in front of him, their prayer will not be valid and they will not be deemed to have followed the imam. On the other hand, the fact that the other parts of congregation who stands in other sides are closer to the Ka’bah than the imam does not prevent them from following him. According to the Maliki school, it is not a must for the imam to stand in front of the congregation. However, it is makruh for the congregation to stand in front of the imam unless there is a situation necessitating it (Ibn Qudamah, al-Mughni, III, 52-53; Ibn Abidin, Radd al-Muhtar, III, 168; Jaziri, al-Madhahib al-Arba‘a, I, 376).

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