What is the ruling on praying in the courtyard of the Haram when the rows are not aligned?

Question : Peace be upon you. And upon you be peace. O Shaykh, she says that she prayed in the courtyard of the Haram during the 'Isha' prayer, even though there was no crowd and the rows were not aligned. Is the prayer valid?

Answer : Praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds, and I send prayers and peace upon our Prophet Muhammad, and upon his family and his Companions, and upon those who follow them in excellence until the Day of Judgment. Some scholars hold that the prayer is valid as long as one can follow the imam by hearing the takbir. Other scholars hold that it is not permissible because one does not see the imam or the congregants in the mosque. I say to this woman: Do not repeat what you prayed, and do not return to what you did. In the future, enter the Sacred Mosque as long as there is space, and do not pray outside the doors of the mosque. Yes, pray in the mosque, unless the mosque is full, in which case pray wherever it is easy for you. Yes. Yes.