What is the ruling on a woman praying in her home, led by the Imam of the Grand Mosque of Mecca via television, and what is the fate of the prayers of those who did so based on a previous fatwa permitting it?

It is not permissible to follow the Imam of the Haram or anyone else via television or radio, according to the majority of scholars. This is because congregational prayer requires gathering in both time and place, which is not achieved when following the prayer via television. The sayings of scholars on this matter have been mentioned, and Umar ibn al-Khattab, may Allah be pleased with him, said: "If there is a road, a river, or a wall between him and the Imam, then he is not with him." The Malikis, Shafiis, Hanbalis, and Hanafis hold the view that it is not valid to follow if there is a large barrier.

As for the invalidity of the worshiper's prayer in this situation, scholars have differed on this matter into three opinions. Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah held that the prayer of the follower is valid if he has an excuse. Based on this, the questioner's prayer is valid because she has an excuse, provided that she has fulfilled the pillars and conditions of prayer.