What is the ruling on praying at home next to the Haram, following the imam?

Answer : It is not permissible for a person to pray at home following the imam, even if he can hear his voice, unless he can see him. In that case, it is permissible according to some scholars. They say that if a person can see the imam or the people behind him in the prayer, whether for the whole prayer or part of it, and he is outside the mosque and able to follow him, then there is no harm in it. This is the well-known position in the madhhab of Imam Ahmad: that if a person prays outside the mosque while seeing the imam or the congregation and is able to follow them, then it is permissible. This is the well-known position in Ahmad’s madhhab. However, even so, this is not permissible for one who is able to attend the mosque with the Muslims, unless there is a legal impediment. In that case, there is no harm. As for a person who stays behind at home and says, “I will pray here at home and I will not attend the mosque,” that is not permissible. But if there is an impediment preventing him, then there is no harm in praying at home.