Written by: Imran Ayub Lahori
➊ It is narrated from Hazrat Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه that the Prophet ﷺ said:
"When you hear the Iqamah for prayer, then عليكم السكينة والوقار – walk towards the prayer with tranquility and dignity. Do not rush or act hastily. Whatever portion of the prayer you are able to catch with the congregation, perform it, and complete the remainder afterward."
[Bukhari: 236, Kitab al-Adhan: Bab La Yasa ila as-Salat...; Muslim: 602; Abu Dawood: 572; Nasai: 2/114; Ibn Majah: 775; Tirmidhi: 327; Ahmad: 2/239; ‘Abd al-Razzaq: 2405; Muwatta: 1/68]
➋ In another narration, the wording is as follows:
"Whenever you come to prayer, come with calmness and serenity."
[Bukhari: 635, Kitab al-Adhan: Bab Qawl ar-Rajul Faatatna as-Salat; Muslim: 603; Ahmad: 5/306; Ibn Khuzaymah: 1644; Abu Awanah: 2/83; Bayhaqi: 2/289]
The jurists have differed on the issue of joining the congregational prayer late:
Does the portion of prayer performed with the Imam count as the initial rak‘ahs or the last?
❖ (Majority opinion – Jamhur): The prayer performed with the Imam is counted as the beginning of one’s prayer.
❖ (Imam Abu Hanifah رحمه الله): It is considered as the last part of the prayer.
[Nayl al-Awtar: 2/382]
✔ Preferred Opinion (Rajih): The opinion of the majority is the strongest.
[For details, refer to: Ar-Rawdah an-Nadiyyah: 1/326; As-Sayl al-Jarrar: 1/266]
➊ The Prophet ﷺ said:
"Whatever portion of the prayer you catch with the Imam, perform it, and complete the remainder afterward."
[Bukhari: 635; Muslim: 603]
(Shawkani رحمه الله) stated:
The command to complete the prayer afterward is a clear proof that what one prayed with the Imam counts as the beginning.
[As-Sayl al-Jarrar: 1/166]
➋ It is narrated from Hazrat Ali رضي الله عنه:
"Whatever you catch with the Imam is the beginning of your prayer."
[Bayhaqi: 2/299]
✿ Proceeding to the Mosque with Tranquility and Dignity
➊ It is narrated from Hazrat Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه that the Prophet ﷺ said:
"When you hear the Iqamah for prayer, then عليكم السكينة والوقار – walk towards the prayer with tranquility and dignity. Do not rush or act hastily. Whatever portion of the prayer you are able to catch with the congregation, perform it, and complete the remainder afterward."
[Bukhari: 236, Kitab al-Adhan: Bab La Yasa ila as-Salat...; Muslim: 602; Abu Dawood: 572; Nasai: 2/114; Ibn Majah: 775; Tirmidhi: 327; Ahmad: 2/239; ‘Abd al-Razzaq: 2405; Muwatta: 1/68]
➋ In another narration, the wording is as follows:
"Whenever you come to prayer, come with calmness and serenity."
[Bukhari: 635, Kitab al-Adhan: Bab Qawl ar-Rajul Faatatna as-Salat; Muslim: 603; Ahmad: 5/306; Ibn Khuzaymah: 1644; Abu Awanah: 2/83; Bayhaqi: 2/289]
✿ Difference of Opinion Among Jurists Regarding Missed Rak‘ahs
The jurists have differed on the issue of joining the congregational prayer late:
Does the portion of prayer performed with the Imam count as the initial rak‘ahs or the last?
❖ (Majority opinion – Jamhur): The prayer performed with the Imam is counted as the beginning of one’s prayer.
❖ (Imam Abu Hanifah رحمه الله): It is considered as the last part of the prayer.
[Nayl al-Awtar: 2/382]
✔ Preferred Opinion (Rajih): The opinion of the majority is the strongest.
[For details, refer to: Ar-Rawdah an-Nadiyyah: 1/326; As-Sayl al-Jarrar: 1/266]
✿ Supporting Evidences
➊ The Prophet ﷺ said:
"Whatever portion of the prayer you catch with the Imam, perform it, and complete the remainder afterward."
[Bukhari: 635; Muslim: 603]
(Shawkani رحمه الله) stated:
The command to complete the prayer afterward is a clear proof that what one prayed with the Imam counts as the beginning.
[As-Sayl al-Jarrar: 1/166]
➋ It is narrated from Hazrat Ali رضي الله عنه:
"Whatever you catch with the Imam is the beginning of your prayer."
[Bayhaqi: 2/299]
