If two people pray in congregation, should the Imam stand slightly ahead of the Ma'moom, bearing in mind that "Do not precede the Imam and do not be equal to him" refers to not preceding or being equal to him in actions and in the row?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
If there is only one worshiper (ma'mum), he stands to the right of the Imam. It is preferable that he stands slightly behind him, though it has been said that he stands abreast with him, and this is the more preponderant opinion. Equating the Imam in the actions of prayer is disliked by most scholars.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/135052
Where this answer came from
- Source platform
- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 135052
- Added here
- . This is when the answer was added to El Fatwa, not the fatwa's date.
- Text
- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
- Read the full ruling
- Read the full answer on Ftawy