What is the ruling on following the imam in a room separate from the mosque

Question : From Riyadh, the questioner Ahmad Ibrahim says: In this question, my father is an elderly man, and our house is next to the mosque. He used to be keen on praying in the mosque, but now he has been afflicted with a disease in his legs such that he cannot stand except with a wheelchair. He has taken a room in our house behind the mosque, and he hears the prayer from the mosque microphone. He prays sitting in his room, following the mosque imam through the microphone. Is this valid for him, or should he pray alone? May Allah reward you, Shaykh Muhammad?

Answer : This is not valid for him; rather, he should pray alone. This is because there is a barrier between him and the believers that prevents him from seeing the imam or anyone behind him. Furthermore, he is excused from attending the congregational prayer because he cannot go to it except by being carried or in a cart. Let this man be glad that, if he was keen on the congregational prayer while he was healthy, Allah the Exalted will record for him its full reward, based on the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) . And let him not be sad about the prayers he misses in this state, because his reward is recorded for him in full. Yes. May Allah reward you with good.