Is it Sunnah for the muezzin to pray directly behind the imam?

 

Is it Sunnah for the muezzin to stand directly behind the imam 100%? 


I hope that you can advise me so that we can put an end to an argument in the mosque.

Praise be to Allaah.

With regard to the muezzin standing behind the imam, there is
no specific Sunnah that is proven from the Prophet (blessings and peace of
Allaah be upon him). The only thing that is narrated concerning that is that
it is mustahabb for those who are most wise and dignified to be closest to
the imam. The Prophet (blessings and peace of Allaah be upon him) said: “Let
those who are most wise and dignified be closest to me”. Narrated by Muslim
(432). 

But there is nothing wrong with leaving a space behind the
imam for the muezzin to stand when he has finished reciting the iqaamah or
call immediately preceding the prayer, so that he can find a suitable place
in which to pray without having to cut through the rows. And there is
nothing wrong with this place being slightly to one side of the imam, to the
right or left. 

And Allaah knows best.