Source: Ahkam wa Masail in Light of the Qur'an and Hadith, Volume 02
"من أدرك ركعةً من الصبحِ قبلَ أن تطلعَ الشمسُ فقد أدرك الصبحَ ومن أدركَ ركعةً من العصرِ قبلَ أن تغربَ الشمسُ فقد أدرك العصرَ"
(Agreed Upon, Mishkat - Chapter on Hastening the Prayer)
Translation: "Whoever catches one Rak‘ah of Fajr before sunrise has caught the Fajr prayer, and whoever catches one Rak‘ah of ‘Asr before sunset has caught the ‘Asr prayer."
This Hadith indicates that if a person manages to perform even one Rak‘ah before the end of a prayer’s time, the entire prayer should be completed.
However, if a congregational prayer starts while one is still praying individually and has not reached the Ruku‘ of the first Rak‘ah, they should discontinue their prayer and join the congregation.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
"إذا أقيمت الصلاةُ فلا صلاةَ إلَّا التي أُقيمَت"
(Musnad Ahmad, Abu Dawood)
Translation: "When the prayer is established (Iqamah is called), then no prayer should be performed except the one being established."
✔ A minimum for a valid prayer is one Rak‘ah. If a person has already prayed one Rak‘ah, they may complete the prayer.
✔ If less than one Rak‘ah has been completed, the prayer should be discontinued to join the congregation.
✔ The Hadith explicitly states that one should offer the prayer being established, so the person should join the congregation with the intention of ‘Asr.
✔ Delaying for Dhuhr at that moment could result in missing both Dhuhr and ‘Asr, particularly if the time for ‘Asr is nearly over.
✔ Therefore, it is better to perform ‘Asr with the congregation and then make up Dhuhr afterward.
✔ Intention for the missed prayer (Dhuhr/Maghrib): Based on the importance of maintaining order (Tarteeb) and avoiding praying missed prayers during Makruh (disliked) times.
✔ Intention for the current prayer (Asr/Isha): To ensure the current prayer is offered within its valid time.
Due to the presence of strong arguments on both sides, either intention is permissible, though maintaining proper sequence is preferred when possible.
✔ The Prophet ﷺ offered the Sunnahs of Dhuhr after ‘Asr, and Fajr Sunnahs are also permitted after Fajr prayer.
✔ Therefore, Qada prayers are allowed during these times.
◄ After Iqamah, offer only the congregational prayer being established.
◄ If a prior prayer was missed, join the current prayer, then make up the missed one later.
◄ Both types of intentions (prior or current prayer) are permissible, but maintaining Tarteeb (order) is better.
◄ Qada prayers are valid during Makruh times, contrary to popular belief.
References:
❖ Question:
If the time for a prayer is nearing its end and one begins praying, or if one starts a prayer during the prohibited times, and meanwhile a congregational prayer (Jama‘ah) begins, what should be done in such a case? Also, what was the practice of the Companions رضي الله عنهم regarding this?❖ The Answer:
The following Hadith provides foundational guidance on this issue:"من أدرك ركعةً من الصبحِ قبلَ أن تطلعَ الشمسُ فقد أدرك الصبحَ ومن أدركَ ركعةً من العصرِ قبلَ أن تغربَ الشمسُ فقد أدرك العصرَ"
(Agreed Upon, Mishkat - Chapter on Hastening the Prayer)
Translation: "Whoever catches one Rak‘ah of Fajr before sunrise has caught the Fajr prayer, and whoever catches one Rak‘ah of ‘Asr before sunset has caught the ‘Asr prayer."
This Hadith indicates that if a person manages to perform even one Rak‘ah before the end of a prayer’s time, the entire prayer should be completed.
However, if a congregational prayer starts while one is still praying individually and has not reached the Ruku‘ of the first Rak‘ah, they should discontinue their prayer and join the congregation.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
"إذا أقيمت الصلاةُ فلا صلاةَ إلَّا التي أُقيمَت"
(Musnad Ahmad, Abu Dawood)
Translation: "When the prayer is established (Iqamah is called), then no prayer should be performed except the one being established."
❖ Ruling After the Iqamah
From this Hadith, it is understood that once Iqamah is called, no other prayer—whether obligatory or optional—should be performed except the one for which Iqamah has been announced.✔ A minimum for a valid prayer is one Rak‘ah. If a person has already prayed one Rak‘ah, they may complete the prayer.
✔ If less than one Rak‘ah has been completed, the prayer should be discontinued to join the congregation.
❖ Niyyah (Intention) During Congregation
If the Iqamah for ‘Asr prayer is announced and someone has not yet prayed Dhuhr, should they make the intention for Dhuhr or join with the intention of ‘Asr?✔ The Hadith explicitly states that one should offer the prayer being established, so the person should join the congregation with the intention of ‘Asr.
✔ Delaying for Dhuhr at that moment could result in missing both Dhuhr and ‘Asr, particularly if the time for ‘Asr is nearly over.
✔ Therefore, it is better to perform ‘Asr with the congregation and then make up Dhuhr afterward.
❖ Practice of the Companions رضي الله عنهم
It is established that when a companion missed a prior prayer and the Iqamah was called, they would join the congregation for the current prayer and then make up the missed prayer afterward.❖ Intention for Dhuhr or Maghrib During ‘Asr or ‘Isha Congregation
If a person has not prayed Dhuhr or Maghrib, and the congregation begins for ‘Asr or ‘Isha, there are two scholarly opinions:✔ Intention for the missed prayer (Dhuhr/Maghrib): Based on the importance of maintaining order (Tarteeb) and avoiding praying missed prayers during Makruh (disliked) times.
✔ Intention for the current prayer (Asr/Isha): To ensure the current prayer is offered within its valid time.
Due to the presence of strong arguments on both sides, either intention is permissible, though maintaining proper sequence is preferred when possible.
❖ Praying During Prohibited Times
Some people believe that it is not permissible to offer missed (Qada) prayers after ‘Asr or Fajr due to time prohibition. However, this is incorrect.✔ The Prophet ﷺ offered the Sunnahs of Dhuhr after ‘Asr, and Fajr Sunnahs are also permitted after Fajr prayer.
✔ Therefore, Qada prayers are allowed during these times.
❖ Summary:
◄ If at least one Rak‘ah is offered before a prayer time ends, complete the prayer.◄ After Iqamah, offer only the congregational prayer being established.
◄ If a prior prayer was missed, join the current prayer, then make up the missed one later.
◄ Both types of intentions (prior or current prayer) are permissible, but maintaining Tarteeb (order) is better.
◄ Qada prayers are valid during Makruh times, contrary to popular belief.
References:
- "من أدرك ركعة..." (Agreed Upon, Mishkat)
- "إذا أقيمت الصلاة..." (Musnad Ahmad, Abu Dawood)
- Tanzim Ahl-e-Hadith, Volume 3, Issue 27
