The Ruling on Praying the Obligatory Prayer Behind One Who Is Praying a Voluntary Prayer

Question:
May Allah reward you. Among his questions, he asks about praying the obligatory prayer behind one who is praying a voluntary prayer. Is that permissible?

Answer:
There is nothing wrong with that. It is permissible to pray the obligatory prayer behind one who is praying a voluntary prayer, according to the correct view. This is because Mu'adh used to pray with the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), then he would go and pray with his people. For him, it was a voluntary prayer, and for them, it was an obligatory prayer. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) approved of this for him. Also, in the prayer of fear, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) prayed two units with one group and concluded the prayer with them. Then the other group came, and he prayed two units with them and concluded the prayer with them. The first group’s prayer was his obligatory prayer (peace and blessings be upon him), and the second group’s prayer was a voluntary prayer. Yes.