What is the ruling on following the congregational prayer for one who is outside the mosque?

Question:
He says: If I am in my residence and I can see the Haram, is it permissible for me to follow the imam?

Answer:
It is not permissible unless the rows are connected and there is no space left for you, and you can see the imam and the rows are connected from the Haram, from al-Masjid al-Haram to your residence, with the rows connected and the mosque full and the street between you and the mosque full. It is permissible for you to pray if you see the ma'mum (those praying behind the imam); if you see the ma'mum, you may follow them, and this is permissible. However, as long as the space is wide, or there is a street between you and the Haram where cars and people are walking, the prayer in this case is not valid.
Yes, regarding following the imam: pray on your own if you want to pray, pray on your own. As for praying behind the imam, this is not valid.