What is the wisdom behind the imam performing prayers in a higher place than the place the congregation stands on?

Does the difference of height between the place the imam stands and the congregation stands cause the prayer to be invalidated? It is said that this practice started in the near past in order to invalidate prayers. Is it something that needs to be taken care of?

Dear Brother / Sister,

It is makruh for the imam to stand one archine (68 cm) or higher than the place where the congregation stands. For, according to what is reported from Hudhayfah and Abu Masud, the Prophet (pbuh) said:

"When one of you becomes the imam to a congregation, he should not stand at a place higher than the place where the congregation stands."1

Ibn Masud prohibited the imam from standing at a place higher than the place where the congregation stands. According to Hanafis, Malikis and Shafiis, it is makruh for the congregation to stand one archine or higher or than the place where the imam stands. According to these madhhabs, in both cases, karahah is limited with at least one person not being with the imam. If there is one person or more with the imam from the congregation, it is not makruh.   

Malikis regard Friday prayer as an exception because it is invalid to perform Friday prayer on the mosque according to them. As a matter of fact, along with Shafiis, they also regard it as an exception for the imam to perform the prayer in a high place due to a necessity or in order to show the congregation how to perform prayers. According to them, such a prayer is permissible. However, if the imam or the congregation aims to be conceited, the prayer of both the imam and the congregation becomes invalidated. For, conceit is something that contradicts prayer.  

According to Hanbalis, karahah is in question for those who perform the prayer in a place lower than the imam, not for those at the same level or higher. For, this meaning exists for those who perform the prayer at a place lower than the imam; such a meaning does not exist for the others. 

According to Hanbalis and Malikis, it is permissible for the imam to perform the prayer on the first step of the pulpit, at a place one hand span, or one archine high. As a matter of fact, Malikis regarded it as an exception for the imam to perform the prayer in a high place in order to teach the congregation how to perform prayers. For, according to what is reported in the hadith of Sahl, the Prophet (pbuh) performed prayers on the first step of the pulpit.2

Footnotes:

1. Abu Dawud reported this hadith.

2. Bukhari and Muslim reported this hadith.

(see Prof. Dr. Wahba Zuhayli, İslam Fıkhı Ansiklopedisi)

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