Performing salaah in the musjid with empty saffs in front of the musalli

Q: 

1. Is namaaz valid where there are many saffs empty in front of the musalli but he is in the musjid? 

2. What is the ruling regarding women coming in line or being in front of a male in the Haramain?

A: 

1. The namaaz will be valid, but it is makrooh to get into a saff without completing the front saff. 

2. If the imaam has intended to lead the women then the salaah of the man next to the woman and the salaah of the man behind the woman will not be valid.

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

 

Answered by:

Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)