Continuation of: What is better for prayer in al-Masjid al-Haram: is it prayer on the roof and the underground hall, or in the expansion with the rows connected?
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The questioner : May Allah reward you: What is better, praying on the roof of al-Masjid al-Haram, or in the underground hall, or having the rows connected even if they are in the expansion?
The Shaykh : There is no doubt that praying on the roof or in the lower level is far better than praying outside the mosque. In fact, we see that praying outside the mosque when there is space inside the mosque is not valid, because he prayed in a place other than the place of congregation. The Shari'ah considers the gathering of Muslims in their place and with their actions. For this reason, they were commanded to follow the imam and keep up with him, and to be far from disturbance. Therefore, it is better, because the virtue attached to the act of worship itself takes precedence over the virtue attached to the place of worship. Did you understand? Yes.
The questioner : Is the underground hall better than the roof?
The Shaykh : By Allah, they are equal in terms of place; they are equal. However, the roof may be more open for a person and wider for his chest, so it has an advantage over the underground hall.
The Shaykh : There is no doubt that praying on the roof or in the lower level is far better than praying outside the mosque. In fact, we see that praying outside the mosque when there is space inside the mosque is not valid, because he prayed in a place other than the place of congregation. The Shari'ah considers the gathering of Muslims in their place and with their actions. For this reason, they were commanded to follow the imam and keep up with him, and to be far from disturbance. Therefore, it is better, because the virtue attached to the act of worship itself takes precedence over the virtue attached to the place of worship. Did you understand? Yes.
The questioner : Is the underground hall better than the roof?
The Shaykh : By Allah, they are equal in terms of place; they are equal. However, the roof may be more open for a person and wider for his chest, so it has an advantage over the underground hall.