Is it better to pray on the lower floor where the Imam is, in later rows, or to pray on the upper floor in earlier rows?

Praying in the back rows on the lower floor where the Imam is, is better than praying in the front rows on the upper floor. This is because praying behind the Imam is the fundamental principle, and being close to the Imam is better. There is a difference of opinion regarding a worshipper being elevated above the Imam, and the lower floor is preferable due to its proximity to the Imam. However, praying on the upper floor might be better if it leads to greater devotion (khushu'), because preserving the virtue related to the act of worship itself takes precedence over the virtue related to its location.