Sayyiduna Sahl bin Sa’d (may Allah be pleased with him) said: I saw the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) sitting on the pulpit, then he pronounced the opening takbeer, and the people also pronounced the takbeer. Then he bowed (performed ruku’) on the pulpit itself, then raised his head from ruku’, then in that state he stepped back with his heels and prostrated below the pulpit, then ascended again and completed the prayer in the same manner. Imam Abu Muhammad Darimi (may Allah have mercy on him) said: In this regard, the imam is permitted to lead the prayer while standing at a height above the congregation, and he may perform such actions in prayer.