What is the ruling on establishing a second congregation while people are praying the tarawih prayer in Ramadan?
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The questioner : He says: What is the ruling on establishing a second congregation while people are praying the tarawih prayer in Ramadan? Because I have heard some people say: It is a religious innovation, and some say: There is no harm in doing it during the last ten nights, but it is a religious innovation if done at other times, such as at the beginning or middle of Ramadan?
The Shaykh : The correct view in this matter is that if a person enters, whether alone or with a group, while people are praying the tarawih prayer, they should enter with the imam intending to pray the 'Isha' prayer. When the imam concludes the prayer, they should complete the remaining part of the 'Isha' prayer, each person doing so individually without a congregation. This is the correct view. As for establishing two congregations in one mosque, this is certainly not prescribed. However, we say: Enter with the imam intending to pray 'Isha'. Now, if someone asks: Is it valid for one who has an obligatory prayer to follow one who is praying a voluntary prayer? We say: Yes, it is valid. This occurred during the time of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). Mu'adh ibn Jabal (may Allah be pleased with him) used to pray the 'Isha' prayer with the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his family), then he would go to his people and pray that same prayer with them. It was a voluntary prayer for him and an obligatory prayer for them. This was during the time of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him), and Allah (Mighty and Majestic) approved it. In fact, it appears that the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) was aware of it and approved it. Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal (may Allah have mercy on him) explicitly stated: If a man enters while the imam is praying tarawih, he should enter with them intending to pray 'Isha.
The Shaykh : The correct view in this matter is that if a person enters, whether alone or with a group, while people are praying the tarawih prayer, they should enter with the imam intending to pray the 'Isha' prayer. When the imam concludes the prayer, they should complete the remaining part of the 'Isha' prayer, each person doing so individually without a congregation. This is the correct view. As for establishing two congregations in one mosque, this is certainly not prescribed. However, we say: Enter with the imam intending to pray 'Isha'. Now, if someone asks: Is it valid for one who has an obligatory prayer to follow one who is praying a voluntary prayer? We say: Yes, it is valid. This occurred during the time of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). Mu'adh ibn Jabal (may Allah be pleased with him) used to pray the 'Isha' prayer with the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his family), then he would go to his people and pray that same prayer with them. It was a voluntary prayer for him and an obligatory prayer for them. This was during the time of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him), and Allah (Mighty and Majestic) approved it. In fact, it appears that the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) was aware of it and approved it. Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal (may Allah have mercy on him) explicitly stated: If a man enters while the imam is praying tarawih, he should enter with them intending to pray 'Isha.