Removing a layman from his place for the sake of a particular person

Question

If some layman stands behind the imam, and in the same row there are also a student of knowledge (talib al-'ilm) and a religious scholar, does the student or the respected scholar have the right to move this layman aside and stand [in his place] himself? Or should the imam place a student and a religious scholar behind himself, so that if hadath occurs he can appoint a successor (khalifa)?

Answer

Since that person came first and stood behind the imam, neither another worshipper nor the imam has the right to move him from his place; but if he himself agrees to move, there is no harm in it. [ar]ويكره أشد كراهة أن يقيم الرجل أخاه فيجلس في موضعه في الجمعة وغيرها، قال الكرماني: وظاهر النهي الوارد فيه التحريم؛ لأن من سبق إلى مباح فهو أحق به، بخلاف ما لو قام الجالس باختياره…

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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