Is the virtue of the first row in the Haram for the one closest to the imam or to the Ka'bah?

Question : May Allah reward you. He asks: Is the virtue of the first row in the Haram for the one who is close to the imam or for the one who is close to the Ka'bah?

Answer : The first row is the one behind the imam, and it is circular. As for those who are in directions closer to the Ka'bah, they do not have the ruling of the first row; rather, they are of the same kind as those who pray to the right of the imam or to the left of the imam. So the first row is whatever is behind the imam, circling as it circles.