Assalaamu alaykum wa rahmatullaahi wa barakaatuhu, Shaykh. I have read your fatwa no. 31530 about the matter. I wish to know whether the following is a valid excuse for praying alone in the masjid behind the imam or not. Please advise. I am afflicted with magic and possession by jinn, and I am facing difficulty focusing in the prayer and having Khushoo (humble submissiveness and concentration) in the prayer when praying next to others. Is it permissible for me to pray away from others; I mean, at a distance from the congregation, but inside the masjid? If not, then how about behind a row? But then again, someone may join me during the prayer. Please advise, Shaykh. I want to pray in Masjid Al-Haraam as much as I can. I feel better in the prayer there if I get Khushoo than at home. Please advise, Shaykh. It is urgent as I am facing difficulty in the prayer. May Allaah reward you.

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

The prayer of an individual person behind the row in the congregation is valid according to the view of the majority of the scholars.

Ibn Taymiyyah is of the view that it is valid due to a sound excuse, while the Hanbali School is of the view that it is invalid.

Hence, if you are affected with what you mentioned in the question and you find it hard to stand up in the row of women, then there is no harm on you to act according to the view of the majority of the scholars.

Nonetheless, in our view, you should try to get rid of those illusions and obsessive whispers and pray in the row while trying to be as attentive as is possible.

Allah knows best.