Can the Imam Stand Higher Than Those Behind Him for Prayer?

Question
Assalam 'alaykum, Please i need a comprehensive
evidence that prohibits the Imam having an elevated
platform higher than the rest of the congregation for
Salah.
Answer
All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds.
I testify that none is worthy of worship except Allah
and that Muhammad sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam
( may Allaah exalt his mention ) is His slave and
messenger.
Based on proofs reported in this regard, scholars
deduced that it is disliked for the Imam to stand
in a higher place than the worshippers during the
congregational prayer for no need.
For instance, it
has been narrated on the authority of Hammaam
may Allaah have mercy upon him that Huthayfah
may Allaah be pleased with him once led the people
in prayer in Al-Madaa’in (in Iraq) while standing on a
bench. Abu Mas‘ood may Allaah be pleased with him
took him by his shirt and pulled him down. When he
[Abu Mas‘ood] finished his prayer, he exclaimed: “Do
you not know that this has been deemed prohibited?”
He [Huthayfah] replied: “Yes, I remembered this
when you pulled me down.” [Abu Daawood]
Moreover, Ibn Mas‘ood may Allaah be pleased with
him narrated that the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa
sallam (may Allaah exalt his mention) forbade that
the Imam should stand on something higher than the
people behind him. [Ad-Daaraqutni]
Ash-Shawkaani may Allaah have mercy upon him
commented in his book Nayl Al-Awtaar on the
narration saying: “It is inferred from this Hadeeth that
it is disliked for the Imam to sit in a higher place than
those who are present.” [End of quote]
However, if there is a need for the Imam to stand in
a higher position, it is not disliked for him to do so as
the Prophet sallallaahu`alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah
exalt his mention) did when he performed the prayer
on top of the pulpit so that the people could see him
and learn the correct manner of performing the
prayer, as authentically narrated in Saheeh Al-
Bukhaari.
Allah Knows best.

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