Is it better for one who missed the Fajr prayer in congregation and prayed alone to perform the two sunnah rak'ahs before the obligatory prayer, or to perform the obligatory prayer and then the sunnah?
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The questioner : Is it better for one who missed the Fajr prayer in congregation and prayed alone to perform the two sunnah rak'ahs before the obligatory prayer, or to perform the obligatory prayer and then the regular sunnah?
The Shaykh : It is better for one who missed the prayer with the congregation and did not perform the voluntary prayer, meaning he did not perform the Fajr regular sunnah, to begin with the regular sunnah first and then perform the obligatory prayer. Even if a man is overcome by sleep and does not wake up until after the sun has risen, he should perform the voluntary prayer, meaning the regular sunnah, before the obligatory prayer. This is established from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) in the story of their sleeping through the Fajr prayer while traveling. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) performed the Fajr voluntary prayer and then established the prayer, meaning the obligatory prayer, and prayed with his companions as he does every day.
The Fajr regular sunnah is performed after the obligatory prayer for one who missed it and entered the mosque while the imam had already begun the obligatory prayer. He joins them in the obligatory prayer and then performs the regular sunnah afterwards.
Some scholars said that it is better to delay the regular sunnah until the Duha prayer, unless he fears he will forget it, in which case he should perform it after the Fajr prayer. Other scholars said that he may perform it after the Fajr prayer in all cases, whether he fears he will forget it or not, because the likelihood of forgetting is high, meaning that the likelihood of forgetting is common among people.
The Shaykh : It is better for one who missed the prayer with the congregation and did not perform the voluntary prayer, meaning he did not perform the Fajr regular sunnah, to begin with the regular sunnah first and then perform the obligatory prayer. Even if a man is overcome by sleep and does not wake up until after the sun has risen, he should perform the voluntary prayer, meaning the regular sunnah, before the obligatory prayer. This is established from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) in the story of their sleeping through the Fajr prayer while traveling. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) performed the Fajr voluntary prayer and then established the prayer, meaning the obligatory prayer, and prayed with his companions as he does every day.
The Fajr regular sunnah is performed after the obligatory prayer for one who missed it and entered the mosque while the imam had already begun the obligatory prayer. He joins them in the obligatory prayer and then performs the regular sunnah afterwards.
Some scholars said that it is better to delay the regular sunnah until the Duha prayer, unless he fears he will forget it, in which case he should perform it after the Fajr prayer. Other scholars said that he may perform it after the Fajr prayer in all cases, whether he fears he will forget it or not, because the likelihood of forgetting is high, meaning that the likelihood of forgetting is common among people.