The imam on a prayer mat, the followers on the floor
Question
Most imams lead the prayer on a prayer mat, while the followers (muqtadis) perform the prayer with the imam on the floor without a prayer mat. In such a congregation, does any karaha (dislikedness) arise in the followers’ prayer or not?
Answer
No; rather, prayer on the ground is more virtuous (afdal) than on a prayer mat.
Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya
Preview. The full text opens with JavaScript enabled.