In Ramadan, we find some of the worshippers praying the obligatory 'Isha' prayer behind the imam who is praying the two rak'ahs of tarawih. Is this action praiseworthy or blameworthy, and what is the evidence?
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The questioner : In Ramadan, we find some of the worshippers praying behind the imam who is praying the two rak'ahs of tarawih. Is this action praiseworthy or blameworthy, and what is the evidence for that?
The Shaykh : This action is praiseworthy, because either he prays the obligatory prayer alone and leaves the congregation to itself, which is a schism against the congregation of the Muslims, and this is not permissible due to many pieces of evidence. Or he joins this congregation, and when the imam says the taslim after two rak'ahs, he stands up and completes his prayer, just as if he were a masbuq in the 'Isha' prayer who caught two rak'ahs of it. He then performs the two remaining rak'ahs that are obligatory upon him. It is not said that this is a voluntary prayer and that is an obligatory one, because it is well known that Mu'adh ibn Jabal used to pray the obligatory 'Isha' prayer behind the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), then he would go to his people and pray as their imam. For him, it was a voluntary prayer, and for them, it was an obligatory one. Therefore, it is permissible for one who is praying an obligatory prayer to follow one who is praying a voluntary prayer. For this reason, this action is permissible, and indeed it is among the virtues.
The questioner : May Allah reward you with good.
The Shaykh : This action is praiseworthy, because either he prays the obligatory prayer alone and leaves the congregation to itself, which is a schism against the congregation of the Muslims, and this is not permissible due to many pieces of evidence. Or he joins this congregation, and when the imam says the taslim after two rak'ahs, he stands up and completes his prayer, just as if he were a masbuq in the 'Isha' prayer who caught two rak'ahs of it. He then performs the two remaining rak'ahs that are obligatory upon him. It is not said that this is a voluntary prayer and that is an obligatory one, because it is well known that Mu'adh ibn Jabal used to pray the obligatory 'Isha' prayer behind the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), then he would go to his people and pray as their imam. For him, it was a voluntary prayer, and for them, it was an obligatory one. Therefore, it is permissible for one who is praying an obligatory prayer to follow one who is praying a voluntary prayer. For this reason, this action is permissible, and indeed it is among the virtues.
The questioner : May Allah reward you with good.