The imam leading the prayer standing in the place of the first row

Question

The inner courtyard of a mosque holds three rows, and the air from the fan does not reach the imam at the mihrab. May the imam lead the prayer standing in [the place of] the first row? And if he may, will this cause any kind of defect in the prayer?

Answer

If the muqtadis are not put in difficulty for space and all fit into the mosque, there is no harm if [the imam] stands in the first row, in line with the mihrab, instead of in the mihrab.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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