Source: Ahkam wa Masail in the Light of the Qur'an and Hadith, Volume 02
Once a person joins the congregational prayer and has completed the obligatory Dhuhr prayer, the first step is to perform the two Rak‘ahs of Sunnah that follow the obligatory Dhuhr.
Second: Missed Pre-obligatory Sunnah (4 Rak‘ahs)
If the four Rak‘ahs of Sunnah before Dhuhr were missed due to any reason, they should be made up after offering the post-obligatory two Rak‘ahs.
❝ کان رسول اللّٰہ صلی اللہ علیه وسلم إذا فاتته الأربع قبل الظہر صلاها بعد الرکعتین بعد الظہر ❞
(Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith No. 1148)
Translation:
"When the Prophet ﷺ missed the four Rak‘ahs of Sunnah before Dhuhr, he would perform them after the two Rak‘ahs following the obligatory Dhuhr prayer."
◄ Then perform the four Rak‘ahs of Sunnah that were missed before the obligatory Dhuhr.
◄ Thereafter, make up the four missed Sunnah Rak‘ahs as Qada’.
❖ Question
If a person misses the Sunnah prayers of Dhuhr due to the congregation starting and joins the congregation without praying the Sunnah, what should be the sequence afterward? Should he first offer the missed Sunnah or the post-obligatory Sunnah after completing the congregational prayer?✔ Answer
Alḥamdulillāh! In this matter, Shari‘ah provides clear guidance regarding the proper sequence of Sunnah and obligatory prayers.➊ Prescribed Order of Prayers
First: Post-obligatory Sunnah (2 Rak‘ahs)Once a person joins the congregational prayer and has completed the obligatory Dhuhr prayer, the first step is to perform the two Rak‘ahs of Sunnah that follow the obligatory Dhuhr.
Second: Missed Pre-obligatory Sunnah (4 Rak‘ahs)
If the four Rak‘ahs of Sunnah before Dhuhr were missed due to any reason, they should be made up after offering the post-obligatory two Rak‘ahs.
➋ Evidence from Hadith
The practice of the Prophet ﷺ is the proof:❝ کان رسول اللّٰہ صلی اللہ علیه وسلم إذا فاتته الأربع قبل الظہر صلاها بعد الرکعتین بعد الظہر ❞
(Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith No. 1148)
Translation:
"When the Prophet ﷺ missed the four Rak‘ahs of Sunnah before Dhuhr, he would perform them after the two Rak‘ahs following the obligatory Dhuhr prayer."
➌ Method of Performance
◄ After completing the obligatory Dhuhr prayer, first perform the two Rak‘ahs of Sunnah that come afterward.◄ Then perform the four Rak‘ahs of Sunnah that were missed before the obligatory Dhuhr.
➍ Opinions of Other Jurists
Various jurists have deliberated on this issue and agree that if a person misses the confirmed Sunnah (Sunnah Mu’akkadah) after the obligatory prayer, it is preferable to make up for it. This practice is based on the actions of the Prophet ﷺ and the Companions.➎ Summary
◄ If the four Rak‘ahs of Sunnah before Dhuhr are missed due to joining the congregation, then after the obligatory prayer, first perform the two Rak‘ahs of post-Dhuhr Sunnah.◄ Thereafter, make up the four missed Sunnah Rak‘ahs as Qada’.
