What is the ruling on a man praying in al-Masjid al-Haram while women are sitting in front of him?

Question:
He says: Honorable Shaykh, may Allah grant you success, what is the ruling on praying in the courtyard of the Ka'bah? Is it permissible if there is a woman in front of the one praying?

Answer:
In al-Masjid al-Haram and in crowded mosques, there is leniency regarding passing by and regarding a woman being in front of him if she is sitting in front of him in a way that does not conflict. Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) used to lie down in front of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) while he was praying at night. There is no harm in that. The issue is with passing by, and there is leniency in passing by in the case of crowds, and in al-Masjid al-Haram, and al-Masjid al-Nabawi, and the large congregational mosques, there is leniency in it. Yes.