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Fatwa CenterThe Imam Standing Higher Than Those Behind Him
Question
Assalam 'alaykum, Please i need a comprehensive evidence that prohibits the Imam having an elevated platform higher than the rest of the congregation for Salah.
Answer
All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that none is worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad 
is His slave and messenger.
Based on proofs reported in this regard, scholars deduced that it is disliked for the Imam to stand in a higher place than the worshippers during the congregational prayer for no need. For instance, it has been narrated on the authority of Hammaam 
that Huthayfah 
once led the people in prayer in Al-Madaa’in (in Iraq) while standing on a bench. Abu Mas‘ood took him by his shirt and pulled him down. When he [Abu Mas‘ood] finished his prayer, he exclaimed: “Do you not know that this has been deemed prohibited?” He [Huthayfah] replied: “Yes, I remembered this when you pulled me down.” [Abu Daawood]
Moreover, Ibn Mas‘ood narrated that the Prophet forbade that the Imam should stand on something higher than the people behind him. [Ad-Daaraqutni]
Ash-Shawkaani commented in his book Nayl Al-Awtaar on the narration saying: “It is inferred from this Hadeeth that it is disliked for the Imam to sit in a higher place than those who are present.” [End of quote]
However, if there is a need for the Imam to stand in a higher position, it is not disliked for him to do so as the Prophet did when he performed the prayer on top of the pulpit so that the people could see him and learn the correct manner of performing the prayer, as authentically narrated in Saheeh Al-Bukhaari.
Allah Knows best.
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