The imam on the lower floor and the followers above

Question

If a mosque has two, three or more storeys and the congregation is being held in the lowest part, and a few people, instead of standing in the congregation below, pray following the imam (iqtida') in one of the upper parts — while the worshippers above hear the imam's voice well in the upper parts, whether through a microphone or without one, and are well aware of the ruku' and the prostrations, and below, [where] the imam [is], several rows are still empty and the whole part is not filled — will the prayer of…

Answer

The followers should follow the imam on the same floor of the mosque on which the imam is. When no space remains there, then they should stand on the upper floor. Standing on the upper floor while there is still space there [below] is not approved, even if the voice [of the imam] is heard.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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