The Ruling on Harassing the Congregation in the Rows and Reserving Spaces

His other question is: Is it permissible for someone who arrives at the mosque late to pray the greeting of the mosque in front of another worshipper’s face, or to harass him until he is almost forced to leave his place? In some cases, the person leaves and gives up the place to him. This happens frequently. Also, some people place their prayer mat or their ihram cloth and then go to perform tawaf to reserve a place in the Sacred Mosque. We ask for guidance on these two points?
Answer: It is not permissible for a believer to harass his brother in the row; rather, he should pray where the row ends. He should stand and align himself with the people where the row ends. He is not allowed to separate two people, as the texts have stated. However, if he finds a gap that is wide enough for him, there is no harm in him entering it and filling it, because Muslims are commanded to fill gaps and stand close together in the rows. He may pray if there is someone in front of him; he may pray the greeting of the mosque or the regular voluntary prayer. If there is a person sitting in front of him, such as the imam or someone similar, there is no harm, and he has done nothing wrong in that. He must, however, be careful not to harm his Muslim brothers. He should align himself with the people where the rows end and not harm people by harassing them in the rows unless he finds a gap... that is wide enough for him. In that case, there is no harm in filling it, as he is commanded to do so. Yes.
The presenter: Good! And regarding reserving a place with a prayer mat?
The Shaykh: Likewise, regarding reserving a place; he has no right to reserve a place. No one is allowed to reserve a place, neither on Friday nor on any other day. Rather, he should come to the prayer with the intention of staying in the mosque until he prays with the people. As for coming and placing a prayer mat or something else in a place so that he can return after going to his house, or to tawaf, or to something else, he has no right to do that. This prevents those who arrive early for the prayer and the rows. It is obligatory for the believer to leave these matters and to intend the prayer so that he stays in the mosque, rather than placing a turban, a cloak, a prayer mat, or something else and then leaving for his other needs. Yes.