What is the ruling on a traveler praying the 'Isha' prayer shortened with the resident imam, and joining him while he is in the tarawih prayer with the intention of 'Isha'?

Question : He was asked about the ruling on a traveler praying the 'Isha' prayer shortened with the resident imam, and joining the imam while he is in the tarawih prayer. Is that permissible?

Answer : Yes, if the traveler joins the imam who is praying tarawih, he prays two rak'ahs with the intention of 'Isha', and there is no blame on him because he did not contradict the imam. This is unlike the traveler who joins the resident imam who is praying four rak'ahs; in that case, he must pray four rak'ahs, even if he only caught two rak'ahs. It is obligatory for him to complete the remaining two rak'ahs after the imam's taslim. Similarly, if a resident enters the mosque and the imam is praying tarawih, he prays with him with the intention of 'Isha'. When the imam says the taslim, he completes the remainder of his 'Isha' prayer.