How a Latecomer (Masbuq) Should Complete Missed Rak‘ahs – 5 Principles
Source: Fatawa ‘Ilmiyyah, Vol. 1, Kitab al-Salah, p. 293
Question:
How should a person who joins the congregational prayer late (Masbūq) complete the missed Rak‘ahs after the Imam finishes?
Answer:
Wa ‘alaykum as-salam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh!
Alhamdulillah, wa-s-salatu wa-s-salamu ‘ala Rasulillah, amma ba‘d:
Authentic Hadith as the Basis
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
"أَدْرَكْتُمْ فَصَلُّوا ، وَمَا فَاتَكُمْ فَأَتِمُّوا"
“Whatever portion of the prayer you catch, pray it, and whatever you miss, complete it.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari: 635, Sahih Muslim: 603)
❖ Explanation by ‘Allamah ‘Abdullah Ropuri (رحمه الله):
From this Hadith, it is clear that:
◈ Whatever Rak‘ahs the Masbūq offers with the Imam are counted as the first part of his prayer.
◈ The Rak‘ahs he performs after the Imam concludes are counted as the last part of his prayer.
The use of the word “أَتِمُّوا” (complete) in the Hadith points to this order, as it implies that what remains is completed after what was already done.
Difference Between “Itmam” and “Qada”
In some narrations, the word “قضاء” (qada) is used instead of “اتمام”, but both refer to completing what was missed.
As in the Qur'an:
﴿فَإِذا قُضِيَتِ الصَّلوٰةُ فَانتَشِروا فِى الأَرضِ﴾
“When the prayer is concluded, disperse throughout the land.”
(Surah al-Jumu‘ah, 62:10)
✦ Five Principles for the Masbūq to Complete His Salah
① The Rak‘ahs offered with the Imam are counted as the beginning of one’s own prayer.
② The remaining Rak‘ahs performed alone are treated as the last part of one’s prayer.
③ No repetition of “Thana” (Subhanakallahumma…) in the remaining Rak‘ahs, as they are the final ones. If done mistakenly, it is excused.
④ Tashahhud is recited based on one’s actual position in the prayer.
– If one caught one Rak‘ah with the Imam, he should sit after completing the next Rak‘ah alone.
– If one joined in Ruku‘, that Rak‘ah is not counted.
⑤ This practice is supported by authentic narrations from the Sahabah and the Salaf al-Salihīn:
— Imam Sa‘id ibn al-Musayyib (رحمه الله) held the same opinion.
(Al-Sunan al-Kubra lil-Bayhaqi, 2/299)
— Ibn Abi Shaybah narrated with a sound chain:
"يجعل ما أدرك مع الامام آخر صلاته"
‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar (RA) considered what he caught with the Imam to be the last part of his prayer.
(Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah, 2/324, Hadith: 7121)
Conclusion
◈ Rak‘ahs offered with the Imam are considered the beginning of the Masbūq’s prayer.
◈ Rak‘ahs completed after the Imam finishes are considered the end of the prayer.
This principle is firmly grounded in the Qur'an, Hadith, Athar of the Companions, and the understanding of the Salaf al-Salihīn.
ھذا ما عندي واللہ أعلم بالصواب
