Standing Next to the Imam

Q: When praying alone with the Imam, where should I stand?

A: You must stand to the right of the Imam. In al-Mubdi’, the author said that it is preferable to stand a little behind (on the right of) the Imam out of respect for the position and for fear that you may move up.

If a man leads a woman in prayer, she must stand behind him. This is based on the statement of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): “Place them at the back, as Allah has placed them at the back.”

However, if the woman stands to the right of the male imam (which is not a best practice), she is treated as a man in terms of prayer arrangement, and the prayer remains valid.

Source: Sharh al-Muntaha & Kashshaf Al-Qina