We have a small mosque, and behind the imam there is a pillar such that not all the worshippers can see the imam. What should we do?

The questioner : Good evening, O Muhammad. Welcome, good evening. I tell you, may you live long, I am calling you seriously now. We have a mosque that is an apartment in a center here on the corniche, and behind the imam there is a pillar. The worshippers come, meaning the first row is next to the imam, and the second row is to the left, meaning the imam is exactly behind the pillar, and the second, third, and fourth rows are of course full. Yes, so some of the worshippers complain, saying to you: "Why don't you stand to the left or to the right so that all the worshippers can see you?" One says, "Stand in this place," and I don't know whose words to listen to. So it would be best if you could clarify this for us. And the mosque is limited, meaning if we remove the pillar and have the imam stand after the pillar.

The Shaykh : Let us ask the program manager, our brother Abdullah, if he allows answering this question. He is asking about matters concerning the congregation, for the benefit of the congregation. Yes, does the imam stand alone behind the pillar, or what?

The questioner : Or is the imam standing alone.

The Shaykh : No, I mean, does the imam stand and place the pillar behind him, with the rows behind the pillar, or is the first row such that the pillar is in the middle of the first row?

The questioner : In the middle of the first row exactly, directly behind the imam.

The Shaykh : It is better for the imam to move back so that the pillar serves as a sutrah for him, as long as the mosque is spacious.

The questioner : It is not better.

The Shaykh : It is not spacious.

The questioner : If we do this, people will pray in the street outside the mosque.

The Shaykh : Then the imam should move forward to the wall so that the first row leans against the pillar. Yes.

The questioner : The first row should be connected next to the pillar on the left and the right.

The Shaykh : No, it is important that the left and right... the pillar should be behind the row.

The questioner : The pillar is behind the row.

The Shaykh : Meaning the imam moves forward a little.

The questioner : No.

The Shaykh : So that the pillar is behind the row.

The questioner : Never mind, O Muhammad. If the imam moves forward a little, they cannot align with the imam if it is necessary.

The Shaykh : There is no objection if it allows them to prostrate.

The questioner : Yes, meaning there is an imam between the worshippers, no?

The Shaykh : The Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) used to avoid standing between the pillars.

The questioner : Meaning, if the imam moves forward, for example, about half a meter, is that enough?

The Shaykh : Yes, less, less than less.

The questioner : Two, may you live long, thank you.

The Shaykh : May Allah welcome you.

The questioner : Please, goodbye, stay safe.

The Shaykh : Peace be upon you.