The Imam's Place Is the Middle of the Mosque

Question

Instead of standing at the middle doorway, the imam stands to one side, as a result of which some of the followers stand in a part outside the mosque. If the imam stood in the middle of the courtyard (sahn), all the followers could stand within the mosque, and there would be no need [to stand] outside it. Are the two options equal, or is one preferable and the other not? Explain, and be rewarded.

Answer

The imam should stand in the middle — this is the sunna; leaving the middle and standing to one side is contrary to the sunna. Those who, while there is room in the mosque, stand outside the mosque will not receive the reward of [praying in] the mosque.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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