If the imam prays behind the Maqam near the Ka'bah, is it better to pray behind the Maqam or near the Ka'bah on the other side?

The questioner : May Allah reward you: If the imam prays behind the Maqam in the Makkah Haram, is it better to pray behind the imam or to be near the Ka'bah on the other side?

The Shaykh : It is better to pray the two rak'ahs of tawaf behind the Maqam, but if the area around the Ka'bah is crowded and the people performing tawaf have reached the Maqam, it is not permissible for you to pray behind the Maqam. Why? Because doing so causes harm and crowding for them, and it also causes distraction and confusion for you. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) forbade a person from praying while his mind is confused, and he said: Pushing aside the people performing tawaf while you are praying is more severe than pushing aside the two devils, and it involves more effort. In this case, we say: move away; the entire mosque is a place for you to pray, so pray wherever you wish.