[Q 670] Jummah on Different Levels

Question

respected scholars,

In our local hospital there’s potential for a larger space for Jummah.

The setup is such is that it is a lecture theatre with a raised stage which is rectangular, and then the rest of the floor is normal tiles.

If a congregation was raised on the stage, and the other rows were one “level” i.e. a few metres below them, would this affect the validity of their Salah in terms of the rows being essentially “cut off” from those on the stage, or will it be permissible?

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

الجواب بعون الملك الوهاب اللهم هداية الحق والصواب

Answer

If the congregation is such that the Imam is alone on a raised platform and the followers are below, then this is Makruh.

However, if the Imam is not alone on that raised platform, but rather some worshippers are also present behind him in a row, then the Makruhiyyat no longer remains.

In the scenario you described, where on a rectangular raised platform, along with the Imam, some rows of worshippers will also be on that same platform, and then the remaining rows will be formed below, establishing the congregation in this manner is permissible; there is no Shar’i objection to it.

And if, between this raised stage and the lower area, a distance equivalent to two rows is not left between the rows, but rather a lesser distance, then the rows will not be disconnected but will remain connected, and establishing the congregation in this manner will be permissible.

Answered by: Mubashir Attari (AskMufti Scholar)

Verified by: Mufti Sajid Attari

Translated answer

Date: 19th July 2026