A man entered the congregational prayer and missed the beginning of the prayer. When the imam finished the prayer, he stood up to complete his prayer, so the followers recited tasbih because the imam forgot a prostration. What is the ruling on this?
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The questioner : The second question states: A man entered the obligatory prayer with the congregation and missed the beginning of the prayer. After the imam finished the prayer, he stood up to complete what he had missed of the prayer...
The Shaykh : Repeat, repeat. How?
The questioner : It says: A man entered the obligatory prayer with the congregation and missed the beginning of the prayer. After the imam finished the prayer, he stood up to complete what he had missed. After he stood up, the followers recited tasbih because the imam had forgotten a prostration. What should this man do? Should he join the congregation or continue to complete his prayer alone?
The Shaykh : We say that this man entered with the imam, having missed part of the prayer. When the imam finished the prayer, he stood up to make up what he had missed. Then it was found that the imam’s prayer was deficient.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : So the imam wanted to complete it. This man who stood up and separated to make up what he had missed has the choice between returning with the imam and canceling his standing, but he must perform the prostration for forgetfulness if he completes his prayer. Or he can continue in his prayer and complete it, because he separated from the imam for an excuse. If he separates from the imam for an excuse, he is allowed to complete his prayer according to what is permitted for him. If he wishes, he can return with the imam because it became clear that the imam’s prayer had not yet been completed. The jurists (may Allah have mercy on them) mentioned a parallel to this issue in the case where a follower separates from his imam for an excuse and then that excuse is removed. They said he has the choice between remaining and continuing in his separation, or joining his imam. An example of this is if a follower feels like vomiting during his prayer.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Then he separated from the imam in order to complete the prayer faster than the imam. Then that vomiting subsided. They said he is allowed to join his imam and return to the congregational prayer, and he is allowed to continue to complete his prayer alone. Yes.
The Shaykh : Repeat, repeat. How?
The questioner : It says: A man entered the obligatory prayer with the congregation and missed the beginning of the prayer. After the imam finished the prayer, he stood up to complete what he had missed. After he stood up, the followers recited tasbih because the imam had forgotten a prostration. What should this man do? Should he join the congregation or continue to complete his prayer alone?
The Shaykh : We say that this man entered with the imam, having missed part of the prayer. When the imam finished the prayer, he stood up to make up what he had missed. Then it was found that the imam’s prayer was deficient.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : So the imam wanted to complete it. This man who stood up and separated to make up what he had missed has the choice between returning with the imam and canceling his standing, but he must perform the prostration for forgetfulness if he completes his prayer. Or he can continue in his prayer and complete it, because he separated from the imam for an excuse. If he separates from the imam for an excuse, he is allowed to complete his prayer according to what is permitted for him. If he wishes, he can return with the imam because it became clear that the imam’s prayer had not yet been completed. The jurists (may Allah have mercy on them) mentioned a parallel to this issue in the case where a follower separates from his imam for an excuse and then that excuse is removed. They said he has the choice between remaining and continuing in his separation, or joining his imam. An example of this is if a follower feels like vomiting during his prayer.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Then he separated from the imam in order to complete the prayer faster than the imam. Then that vomiting subsided. They said he is allowed to join his imam and return to the congregational prayer, and he is allowed to continue to complete his prayer alone. Yes.