The Mosque’s Mihrab Is Also Part of the Mosque
Question
A mosque is being built here. Is the mihrab of this mosque included in the mosque or not? And when there are many people, may the imam enter inside the mihrab and lead the prayer or not?
Answer
The mihrab is indeed part of the mosque, yet despite this the imam should stand in such a way that his feet are entirely outside the mihrab or partly outside the mihrab, although if he leads the prayer standing inside the mihrab the prayer will still be valid.
Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya
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