What is the ruling on the congregational prayer of the worshippers in the Mataf (circumambulation area) when they are in front of the Imam, with incomplete rows?

The preponderant opinion is that the prayer of a congregant who stands in front of his Imam is invalid without an excuse, except in Al-Masjid Al-Haram (the Sacred Mosque), where jurists have differed:

- The Shafi'is and Hanbalis hold that the prayer is invalid if the congregant is in the same direction as the Imam and closer to the Kaaba, but valid if he is in another direction.

- The Hanafis hold that the prayer is valid if the congregant is closer to the Kaaba and not in the same direction as the Imam, because being ahead or behind becomes apparent when they are in the same direction.

As for not completing the rows, it is contrary to the Sunnah.