What is the ruling on the congregants praying in the external courtyard of the mosque, with the Imam coming out to them to lead the prayer there after his sermon, and what is the ruling on this action of the Imam, and is the first row inside the mosque or in the external courtyard?

The question includes three issues:

1. The congregants (Ma'mumin) standing ahead of the Imam due to an excuse does not invalidate their prayer.

2. It is permissible for the Imam to deliver the sermon inside the mosque and pray outside it, and performing the Friday prayer outside the mosque is sufficient according to the majority of scholars.

3. The first row is the one immediately behind the Imam.