The ruling on reserving a place in the Haram before prayer

Question:
May Allah reward you. This questioner says: Is it permissible to reserve a place in the Haram near the imam a long time before prayer, or to place something indicating the reservation, thereby not giving the opportunity to other Muslims? Please provide guidance on this matter.

Answer:
Reserving a place in mosques, whether in the Haram or elsewhere, is not permissible except for one who is in the mosque. One who is in the mosque is permitted to reserve a place for himself in the first row because he is present in the mosque and is delayed, either sitting or resting in a corner of the mosque nearby, and he will come to his place. Or if a need arises and he goes out for it and will return soon, he may reserve it because he is considered present in the mosque. As for the one who reserves a place and goes to his business, goes to his affairs, sleeps, and then when the prayer time comes he arrives and says, "I have reserved a place for me," this is not permissible. This is not permissible, and this reservation must be removed and cleared away. The advice to this person regarding this action is that reservation is not permissible except for one who is in the mosque or who went out for a need and will return to his place soon; there is no harm in that. Yes.

The presenter:
May Allah reward you.