Offering Salah between columns

Q: I want to provide our Masjid (mosque) with new carpets. I heard that it is not permissible to offer Salah (prayer) amidst columns so I intend to avoid fixing a row between columns. (Part No. 6; Page No. 329) What is the ruling on offering Salah between columns? Moreover, when we want to repair the Masjid, someone told us that one of the seekers of knowledge said that offering Salah inside the Mihrab (a praying place or a private room) is not permissible or is Makruh (disliked). Is this correct?

A: It is Makruh to offer Salah amidst columns that interrupt rows of praying people except for an urgent need such as if the people inside the Masjid are so many to the extent that they are compelled to offer Salah between columns.In addition, it is Makruh for the Imam to offer Salah inside the Mihrab since most of those who offer Salah behind him do not see him and so cannot follow him in prayer. But, this does not mean that it is not permissible to construct Mihrabs or it is not permissible to repair the Masjid.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.