Ruling on the imam praying from an elevated place
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Q385: The questioner asks: Does the fact that the imam’s place is elevated above the place of the ma'mums affect the validity of the prayer, or does it not affect it?
A385: This requires a detailed explanation: If the imam is alone, he is permitted to be elevated slightly, such as the height of the minbar. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) ascended the minbar while praying and then descended. Therefore, a slight elevation is permissible if the imam is alone. However, if the elevation is significant, it is not permissible for the imam to be alone in that state. As for when there are other praying people with the imam, i.e., ma'mums, there is no harm even if the elevation is significant. For example, it is permissible for the imam to be on the upper floor, with people praying behind him on the floor below; there is no objection to that, provided the imam has at least one of the ma'mums with him.
A385: This requires a detailed explanation: If the imam is alone, he is permitted to be elevated slightly, such as the height of the minbar. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) ascended the minbar while praying and then descended. Therefore, a slight elevation is permissible if the imam is alone. However, if the elevation is significant, it is not permissible for the imam to be alone in that state. As for when there are other praying people with the imam, i.e., ma'mums, there is no harm even if the elevation is significant. For example, it is permissible for the imam to be on the upper floor, with people praying behind him on the floor below; there is no objection to that, provided the imam has at least one of the ma'mums with him.
Source
www.alifta.gov.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.