If the imam is praying with one man on his right, and then another man comes and the imam does not move him to the side so that he can stand behind, is this action valid?

Question:
If the imam is praying with one man on his right, and then he sees, and then another man comes and he does not move him to the side so that he can stand behind, is this action valid? And what is the correct way? May Allah reward you with good.

Answer:
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, and upon his family and all his Companions. The prescribed practice in congregational prayer is for the imam to be in front of the ma'mum (those praying behind him); this is the Sunnah (recommended practice) based on the actions of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and his Companions. If they all pray in one row, and they are to the right of the imam, there is no harm in that. Or if the imam is in the middle of them, meaning between them, there is no harm in that, as this is also reported from the actions of Ibn Mas'ud (may Allah be pleased with him). So both matters are permissible, but the best is for the ma'mum to be behind the imam; this is the best, whether there are two of them or more. Yes. May Allah reward you with good, and may He do you good.