of raising the gaze in prayer, and this concerns a great deal [of movement]. Therefore, a slight [elevation], such as the step of a pulpit and the like, is acceptable due to what we mentioned in the hadith of Sahl, and Allah knows best.

Section: If the Imam prays in a place higher than the congregants, Ibn Hamid said: Their prayer is not valid. This is the view of al-Awza'i, because a prohibition necessitates the corruption of that which is prohibited. The Qadi said: It does not become void. This is the view of the scholars of opinion (Ashab al-Ra'y), because Ammar completed his prayer; if it had been invalid, he would have repeated it, and because the prohibition is explained by what it leads to, namely the raising of the gaze in prayer, and that does not invalidate it, so its cause is more worthy [of not invalidating it].

Section: If there is someone with the Imam who is equal to him, or higher than him, and someone who is lower than him, the reprehensibility (karahah) is restricted to those who are lower than him, because the underlying meaning is found in them and not in others. It is possible that the prohibition covers the Imam, due to him being forbidden from standing in a place higher than their station. Based on this possibility, the prayer of everyone is invalid according to those who hold that prayer is invalidated by committing a prohibited act.

259 - Issue: He said: "And whoever prays behind the row alone, or stands beside the Imam on his left side, must repeat the prayer."

The general rule is that whoever prays alone for a full rak'ah, his prayer is not valid. This is the view of al-Nakha'i, al-Hakam, al-Hasan ibn Salih, Ishaq, and Ibn al-Mundhir. Al-Hasan, Malik, al-Awza'i, al-Shafi'i, and the scholars of opinion permitted it, because Abu Bakrah bowed before [reaching] the row, and the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) did not order him to repeat it, and because it is a place for a woman, so it is a place for a man, just as if he were with a group. Our proof is what Wabisah ibn Ma'bad narrated, that the Prophet