Procedure for Joining Asr Congregation When Dhuhr Has Been Missed

Source: Ahkam wa Masail in the Light of the Qur'an and Hadith, Volume 02

❖ Question​

If a person has missed the Dhuhr prayer and arrives at the mosque while the congregation for Asr is in progress, should he offer his missed Dhuhr prayer separately or join the Asr congregation and perform Dhuhr later?

✔ Answer​

Alḥamdulillāh! There is a scholarly difference of opinion on this issue. However, the correct position is that the person should join the Asr congregation and perform the Asr prayer with the congregation. The missed Dhuhr prayer should be offered later as Qada’.

➊ Evidence from Hadith​

The Prophet ﷺ said:
❝ When the congregational prayer for a prescribed obligation is established, no other prayer (neither Nafl nor Qada) should be performed at that time except the one for which the congregation has been established. ❞
(Musnad Ahmad, Fath al-Bari)

This Hadith clearly indicates the importance of joining the ongoing congregational prayer and not offering any other prayer at that moment.

➋ Opinions of Jurists​

As previously mentioned, scholars such as Mawlana Abdul Jabbar Umarkpuri have issued a fatwa that one must join the congregation for the Asr prayer and later perform the Dhuhr prayer as Qada’. Many other jurists also agree that respecting and participating in the congregation takes precedence, and the missed prayer should be performed afterward.

➌ Summary​

◄ It is obligatory to join the Asr congregation.
◄ Perform the Asr prayer with the congregation.
◄ Offer the missed Dhuhr prayer later as Qada’.
◄ It is incorrect to either join the Asr congregation with the intention of Dhuhr or to leave the congregation and pray Dhuhr separately.