Section: It is recommended that the Imam stands opposite the middle of the row, due to the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him): "Place the Imam in the middle, and fill the gaps." Narrated by Abu Dawood (47). It is disliked for him to enter into the arch (taq) of the Qibla, unless the mosque is narrow. This was disliked by Ibn Mas'ud, Alqama, Al-Hasan, and Ibrahim. Sa'id ibn Jubayr, Abu Abd al-Rahman al-Sulami, and Qays ibn Abi Hazim did it. Our evidence is that he (48) becomes screened from some of the followers, so it is disliked, just as if he had placed a barrier between himself and them.
Section: It is not disliked for the Imam to stand between pillars, but it is disliked for the followers because it breaks their rows. This was disliked by Ibn Mas'ud and Al-Nakha'i, and it was reported from Hudhayfah and Ibn Abbas. Ibn Sirin, Malik, the People of Opinion (Ashab al-Ra'y), and Ibn al-Mundhir granted a concession for it, because there is no evidence to prohibit it. Our evidence is what was narrated from Mu'awiyah ibn Qurrah, from his father, who said: "We were prohibited from forming rows between the pillars during the time of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), and we would be chased away from them." Narrated by Ibn Majah (49). Also, because it breaks the row. If the row is small, equal to the space between two pillars, it is not disliked, because it is not broken by them.
260 - Issue: He said: (And if the Imam of the neighborhood prays while sitting, those behind him shall pray sitting.)
It is recommended for the Imam, if he falls ill and is unable to stand, to appoint a successor; because people have differed regarding the validity of his leadership, so he should exit the disagreement, and because the prayer of the one who is standing is more complete.
= The second is in: "The Chapter on Who It Is Recommended Should Be Near the Imam in the Row and the Dislike of Falling Back," from the Book of Prayer. Sunan Abi Dawood 1/156. It was also recorded by Ibn Majah, in: "The Chapter on the Virtue of the Right Side of the Rows," from the Book of Establishing Prayer. Sunan Ibn Majah 1/321. (47) In: "The Chapter on the Imam's Position in the Row," from the Book of Prayer. Sunan Abi Dawood 1/157. (48) In the manuscripts: "anna" (that). (49) In: "The Chapter on Praying Between Pillars in the Row," from the Book of Establishing Prayer. Sunan Ibn Majah 1/320. Abu Dawood also recorded something similar from Anas, in: "The Chapter on Rows Between Pillars," from the Book of Prayer. Sunan Abi Dawood 1/155.
