The Ruling on a Follower Advancing Ahead of the Imam in Prayer

Question:
There are people who pray in the Noble Prophet’s Mosque and advance ahead of the imam. What is the ruling on that? Is the prayer valid or not?

Answer:
This is a matter on which there is scholarly disagreement among the scholars:
Some of them validated it in cases of dire necessity.
And some of them did not validate it under any circumstances.
Therefore, they should not advance ahead of the imam. As for the one who prayed in front of the imam, he should repeat the prayer; because the opinion that their prayer is not valid is a strong opinion. It is not known that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) or his Companions prayed in front of the imam. It is contrary to the established Shari'ah position, and the claim of dire necessity is not sound; because there is no dire necessity to pray in front of the imam. If they did not find a place, they should pray in their homes, or in another mosque if there are other mosques. As for advancing ahead of the imam, there is no dire necessity for that.
Therefore, it is obligatory to follow the Shari'ah: that they be to the right of the imam, to his left, and behind him. As for in front of him, it is contrary to the established Shari'ah position. So the one who prayed in front of the imam should repeat the prayer, adopting the opinion of those who prohibited it; because that is what agrees with the apparent evidence.