Source: Aḥkām wa Masāʾil, Discussion on Ṣalāh, Vol. 1, p. 221
In Ramaḍān, the Imām intended to pray three rakʿahs of Witr. A person joined after two rakʿahs had already been completed, then prayed one rakʿah with the Imām and ended with salām. Is such an action permissible?
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa-s-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, ʿammā baʿd!
The authentic aḥādīth clearly establish that it is not permissible for a follower (muqtadī) to pray fewer rakʿahs than the Imām. Whoever joins the prayer behind the Imām must complete the prayer in full with him, even if he joined after missing the initial rakʿahs.
To do otherwise is against the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ. Therefore, the follower must complete the prayer fully with the Imām, performing the same number of rakʿahs as the Imām.
Further details on this matter can be seen under the discussion “A Traveler Praying Behind a Resident Imām in Congregational Ṣalāh.”
ھذا ما عندي والله أعلم بالصواب
❖ Question:
In Ramaḍān, the Imām intended to pray three rakʿahs of Witr. A person joined after two rakʿahs had already been completed, then prayed one rakʿah with the Imām and ended with salām. Is such an action permissible?
❖ Answer:
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa-s-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, ʿammā baʿd!
The authentic aḥādīth clearly establish that it is not permissible for a follower (muqtadī) to pray fewer rakʿahs than the Imām. Whoever joins the prayer behind the Imām must complete the prayer in full with him, even if he joined after missing the initial rakʿahs.
To do otherwise is against the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ. Therefore, the follower must complete the prayer fully with the Imām, performing the same number of rakʿahs as the Imām.
Further details on this matter can be seen under the discussion “A Traveler Praying Behind a Resident Imām in Congregational Ṣalāh.”
ھذا ما عندي والله أعلم بالصواب
