Musallees making sajdah on the step of the mimbar

Q: In order to create more space in the Musjid for Musallees on the occasion of Jumuah, we ask all the Musallees to move forward one step. The problem is that those Musallees in the first saff who are in line with the Mimbar, when they step forward, they have insufficient space for sajdah and thus make make sajdah on the step of the mimbar.

1.Is the Salaah of these Musallees valid?

2.If the Salaah is valid, is it Makrooh for them to make Sajdah in this manner?

3.In these circumstances, is it permissible to leave a gap in the first saff in line with the mimbar?

A:

1 & 2) Without any valid excuse it is incorrect for one to make sajdah in this manner. However if a musallee, due to space restriction, was forced to place his head on the step of the mimbar to make sajdah, the sajdah will be valid.

3) No, a gap should not be left in between the saffs.

And Allah Ta'ala (الله تعالى) knows best.

 

Answered by:

Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)