The Imam’s Elevation Above the Congregation and the Advancement of the Rows

The questioner:
In some schools, the imam prays below.

The Shaykh:
There is no objection to this, as long as they can hear his voice. It is permissible for the ma’mum to be higher than the imam, and it is permissible for the opposite, for the imam to be higher than the ma’mum. There is no objection to the imam being on the third floor and some of the congregation on the ground floor. There is no objection to the opposite, for the ma’mum to be on the upper floor and the imam on the ground floor.
If the floors are full, what is the benefit? But if this is due to laziness, that is not permissible, because the rows are not connected in this case, and there is no dire necessity calling for this. Yes.

Another questioner:
So on the ground floor, Shaykh, the ground floor, they are ahead of the imam in the rows.

The Shaykh:
No, they do not advance in this manner, on the condition that they do not advance ahead of the imam. There must be no one between the imam and the qiblah. But if they are to his right or to his left, there is no objection. If they advance, provided they are not in front of him in the direction he is facing, meaning between him and the qiblah, if they are to his right or left, it is permissible, even if they are ahead, meaning there is no one in the direction of the imam. Yes.

The questioner:
And a strong, noble [point].

The Shaykh:
What was reported from whom?

The questioner:
From one who is not.

The Shaykh:
There is no objection to elevation. The Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) ascended the minbar and prayed, then he descended, then he ascended again, and then he said this to teach them the prayer. There is no obstacle. Slight elevation is not a problem.

The questioner:
Six, Usamah, when he prayed. Hmm?

The Shaykh:
Slight elevation is not a problem, even if the imam is alone and the congregation is below him, because the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) prayed while on the minbar, and the congregation was on the ground. As for great elevation, they said that there must be at least one of the ma’mum with the imam. If there is someone with him, the concern is removed. If some of the ma’mum are with him, the concern is removed. Yes.