Does one who prays outside the mosque due to fear of Corona, or an elderly person who prays at the back of the mosque due to an excuse, receive the reward of the Hadith: "Whoever washes on Friday and bathes, and comes early and is present from the beginning, and walks and does not ride, and draws near the Imam and listens, and does not engage in idle talk, will have for every step the reward of a year's work, its fasting and its prayer," despite their not drawing near the Imam, while fulfilling the rest of the conditions?

The scholars have not come across the issue of proximity to the Imam for the purpose of determining reward. However, the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, stipulated proximity to the Imam for obtaining the reward. So, whoever neglects it without an excuse will not receive the full reward, though he will still receive a reward for the righteous deeds he performed. As for someone whose habit it was to be close to the Imam, but an excuse, such as illness or travel, prevented him, then the full reward will be written for him due to his intention.