is not linked with the Imam by means of another follower...

is not linked with the Imam by means of another follower from the rift of the left side, he cannot follow the Imam. 1424. The place where the Imam stands should not be more than an ordinary span higher than the place of the follower and there is no harm if it is less than a span. Furthermore, if the ground is sloping and the Imam stands on the higher side of it there is no harm if the slope is not much, and is such that the people call it flat. 1425.

In the congregational prayers there is no harm if the place of the follower is higher than that of the Imam. In case, however, it is so high that it cannot be said that they have gathered together, the congregation is not in older. 1426. If there is a distance of one person whose prayers is void, between the persons who are standing in the row, they can follow the Imam.

However, if there is a distance of a few persons, whose prayers are void, between them or the distance becomes much owing to some other reason, they cannot follow the Imam. 1427. If after the takbir of the Imam the persons in the front row are ready for prayers and are about to say takbir, a person standing in the back row can also say takbir. However, the recommended precaution is that he should wait so that the takbir of the front row may be completed. 1428.

If a person knows that the prayers of one of the followers of front rows is void, he cannot follow the Imam in the back rows, but he can follow the Imam, if he does not know whether or not the prayers of those persons is in order. 1429. If a person knows that the prayer of the Imam is void - for example, if he knows that the Imam is without ablutions, though the Imam may not be attentive to this fact himself - he cannot follow that Imam. 1430.

If the follower learns after the prayers that the Imam was not a just person (or was an unbeliever, or for some reason, for example, owing to his not having performed ablutions, his prayers was void, but he himself (i.e. the follower) has not performed any act which makes individual prayers void, even it performed by mistake (e.g. an additional bowing) his prayers is valid. 1431.