His second question states: One day I was delayed in performing the Zuhr prayer and did not pray it until the time for 'Asr had arrived for one reason or another. I went to the mosque and found the congregation
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The questioner : The second question states: One day I was delayed in performing the Zuhr prayer and did not pray it until the time for 'Asr had arrived for one reason or another. I went to the mosque and found the congregation praying 'Asr. Is it permissible in this case for me to pray 'Asr with them and then pray Zuhr after them? Or should I pray with them intending Zuhr while they intend 'Asr, and does the difference in intention matter here?
The Shaykh : We say that your statement that you delayed the Zuhr prayer until the 'Asr prayer for one reason or another, this reason has not been clarified to us. If this reason is a legitimate religious excuse, then it has a specific ruling. If the reason is not legitimate, then your Zuhr prayer does not suffice you if you delayed it past its time without a legitimate religious excuse. You must repent to Allah (Mighty and Majestic) for what occurred from you, and the prayer will not benefit you in that case because you intentionally delayed it past its time.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : If we assume that the reason you delayed the Zuhr prayer until the 'Asr prayer was a legitimate one, and you arrive at the mosque while they are praying the 'Asr prayer, then you have a choice. If you wish, pray with them with the intention of 'Asr, and when they finish, make up the Zuhr prayer; the order of the prayers is dropped in this case so that you do not miss the congregation. Or, if you wish, pray with them the Zuhr prayer, meaning with the intention of Zuhr, even if they are praying 'Asr, and there is no harm in the difference of intention, because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:Sahih Muslim 414a Thus, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) clarified the meaning of the difference from him. For this reason, it was said: and it was not said "do not differ from him," but rather: which indicates that the intended meaning is that the intended difference is in the actions. And this was explained in the hadith itself, where he said: Sahih al-Bukhari 805 to the end.
As for the intention, it is an internal act in which disagreement with the imam does not manifest, even if it did differ. Based on this, you enter with them intending Zuhr, even if they are praying 'Asr. Then, when they finish the prayer, you perform the 'Asr prayer. This is, in my opinion, more preferable than the previous option.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : We say that your statement that you delayed the Zuhr prayer until the 'Asr prayer for one reason or another, this reason has not been clarified to us. If this reason is a legitimate religious excuse, then it has a specific ruling. If the reason is not legitimate, then your Zuhr prayer does not suffice you if you delayed it past its time without a legitimate religious excuse. You must repent to Allah (Mighty and Majestic) for what occurred from you, and the prayer will not benefit you in that case because you intentionally delayed it past its time.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : If we assume that the reason you delayed the Zuhr prayer until the 'Asr prayer was a legitimate one, and you arrive at the mosque while they are praying the 'Asr prayer, then you have a choice. If you wish, pray with them with the intention of 'Asr, and when they finish, make up the Zuhr prayer; the order of the prayers is dropped in this case so that you do not miss the congregation. Or, if you wish, pray with them the Zuhr prayer, meaning with the intention of Zuhr, even if they are praying 'Asr, and there is no harm in the difference of intention, because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
The Imam is appointed, so that he should be followed, so don't be at variance with him. Recite takbir when he rec
إنما جعِل الإمام ليؤتم به فلا تختلفوا عليه، فإذا كبّر فكبرواDo not differ from him.
لا تختلفوا عليهFrom him.
عليهsay Takbir when he says it; bow when he bows
فإذا كبّر فكبروا، وإذا ركع فاركعواAs for the intention, it is an internal act in which disagreement with the imam does not manifest, even if it did differ. Based on this, you enter with them intending Zuhr, even if they are praying 'Asr. Then, when they finish the prayer, you perform the 'Asr prayer. This is, in my opinion, more preferable than the previous option.
The questioner : Yes.