Which is better: Friday prayer in the first row of a nearby mosque, or in the Grand Mosque (Masjid al-Haram) with distant rows? And is catching the opening takbir and the first row in the local mosque better than praying in the Grand Mosque while missing both?

We have not come across any statements from scholars regarding these two issues. However, it appears that praying in the Grand Mosque (Masjid al-Haram (definition)) is superior in both cases, even if one is in the back rows, or misses the opening takbeer (takbeerat al-ihram (definition)), or the first row, or joins late. This is due to the virtue of the Grand Mosque itself, and the opinion of many scholars that the reward of one hundred thousand prayers is specific to it, not to other mosques in Mecca. This is in addition to the virtue of a larger congregation, as the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "Indeed, a man's prayer with another man is purer than his prayer alone, and his prayer with two men is purer than his prayer with one man. And whatever is greater in number is more beloved to Allah Almighty."

Prayer is multiplied in all mosques of Mecca, but that which is around the Kaaba is superior due to the large gathering and to avoid differing opinions. Prayer in the Grand Mosque is superior for several reasons: the large congregation, its proximity to and view of the Kaaba, for caution, and the certainty that it is multiplied, unlike those in other mosques. Additionally, there is the virtue of having the reward recorded for walking to and returning from it.