If a man performs even one rakʿah while standing alone behind the row, his prayer is invalid.

Should the follower be able to keep pace with his imam—even if three hundred cubits separate them—the prayer is valid provided he can see the imam or those praying directly behind him. If both imam and follower are inside the same mosque, visual contact is unnecessary; hearing the takbīr is enough. If, however, a river navigable by boats or a roadway lies between them, the prayer is not valid.¹

It is disliked for the imam to be elevated above the congregation, though the opposite is not objectionable.

One who has eaten garlic, radish, or anything similar is discouraged from attending the mosque.

Section
Those excused from attending Friday and congregational prayer are: the sick; anyone who fears falling ill; a person restraining the urge to relieve himself of either impurity; someone searching for lost property, or who fears the loss, forfeiture, or damage of his wealth; one who fears for property he has been hired² to guard—such as a caretaker³ of an orchard⁴; anyone who would suffer harm from rain, mud, snow, ice, or a biting cold wind on a dark night; and when the imam unduly lengthens the prayer.