A man prayed Maghrib, generally believing he was in a state of ritual purity, and when it was time for 'Isha' he remembered that he had prayed Maghrib without ablution, so he went to perform ablution and caught up with the imam
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The questioner : A man prayed Maghrib, generally and without doubt believing he was in a state of ritual purity, and when the time for 'Isha' prayer arrived, he remembered that he had prayed Maghrib without ablution, so he went to perform ablution and caught up with the imam for two rak'ahs of 'Isha', then added a third rak'ah and made it for Maghrib, then stood up and prayed 'Isha' alone. What is the ruling of the Shari'ah, in your opinion, on this action? We ask for your guidance.
The Shaykh : Yes. This action is valid and there is no harm in it. When this man realized that he had prayed Maghrib without ablution, he repeated it, and this is obligatory for anyone who prays a prayer and then realizes that he was not in a state of ritual purity; he must purify himself and repeat it. This is different from one who prays while there is ritual impurity on his garment, on his body, or on his prayer place, and he did not know about it until after completing his prayer; in that case, he does not have to repeat it. Likewise, if he knew about it beforehand but forgot and prayed with it, he does not have to repeat it because he was forgetful. And Allah the Exalted said:[Al-Baqarah 2:286] Then Allah the Exalted said: .
This clarifies the difference between one who prays without ablution and one who prays while there is ritual impurity on his garment or on his body. The first one, who prays without ablution, must repeat the prayer, even if he was forgetful or ignorant.
As for the second one, who prays while there is ritual impurity on his garment, on his body, or in his prayer place, and he is ignorant or forgetful, he does not have to repeat it. The scholars of knowledge distinguished between the two issues because leaving off ablution is a matter of leaving off what is commanded, whereas removing ritual impurity is a matter of leaving off what is prohibited. If the prohibited thing occurs from a person who is forgetful or ignorant, he owes nothing. But if leaving off what is commanded occurs from a person who is ignorant or forgetful, he must perform the act of worship in the manner commanded.
As for his praying Maghrib behind one who is praying 'Isha', that is also valid because he prayed behind the imam, following him and not contradicting him, thus he obeyed the command of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) in his saying:Sahih al-Bukhari 722 This man did not differ from his imam but was following him, so his prayer was valid in terms of following, and it falls under the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): Sahih al-Bukhari 1 So his prayer was valid in terms of intention, because he gets what he intended and the imam gets what he intended. The difference in intention between the imam and the follower does not harm, according to the stronger opinion. It is established that Mu'adh ibn Jabal (may Allah be pleased with him) used to pray 'Isha' with the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), then return to his people and pray that same prayer with them, so it would be a voluntary prayer for him and an obligatory prayer for them. This is a difference in intention, indeed a difference in type, because the voluntary is one type and the obligatory is another type. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) permitted this; if he was aware of it, he permitted it in reality, and if he was not aware of it, he permitted it in ruling. The scholars of knowledge have stated that what was done in the time of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) is elevated in ruling, because if it had been contrary to what Allah the Mighty and Majestic approves, Allah the Exalted would have clarified it. And if it had been hidden from his Prophet, as in His saying: [An-Nisa 4:108] Allah disapproved of what they were plotting of speech that He does not approve of.
In any case, the stronger opinion is that the difference in intention between the follower and the imam does not harm, so your prayer is valid. Yes.
The questioner : May Allah reward you. The second listener asks.
The Shaykh : Yes. This action is valid and there is no harm in it. When this man realized that he had prayed Maghrib without ablution, he repeated it, and this is obligatory for anyone who prays a prayer and then realizes that he was not in a state of ritual purity; he must purify himself and repeat it. This is different from one who prays while there is ritual impurity on his garment, on his body, or on his prayer place, and he did not know about it until after completing his prayer; in that case, he does not have to repeat it. Likewise, if he knew about it beforehand but forgot and prayed with it, he does not have to repeat it because he was forgetful. And Allah the Exalted said:
Our Lord, do not impose blame upon us if we have forgotten or erred.
رَبَّنَا لا تُؤَاخِذْنَا إِنْ نَسِينَا أَوْ أَخْطَأْنَاHe has done so
قد فعلتThis clarifies the difference between one who prays without ablution and one who prays while there is ritual impurity on his garment or on his body. The first one, who prays without ablution, must repeat the prayer, even if he was forgetful or ignorant.
As for the second one, who prays while there is ritual impurity on his garment, on his body, or in his prayer place, and he is ignorant or forgetful, he does not have to repeat it. The scholars of knowledge distinguished between the two issues because leaving off ablution is a matter of leaving off what is commanded, whereas removing ritual impurity is a matter of leaving off what is prohibited. If the prohibited thing occurs from a person who is forgetful or ignorant, he owes nothing. But if leaving off what is commanded occurs from a person who is ignorant or forgetful, he must perform the act of worship in the manner commanded.
As for his praying Maghrib behind one who is praying 'Isha', that is also valid because he prayed behind the imam, following him and not contradicting him, thus he obeyed the command of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) in his saying:
The Imam is (appointed) to be followed. So do not differ from him
إنما جعل الإمام ليؤتم به فلا تختلفوا عليهThe reward of deeds depends upon the intentions and every person will get the reward according to what he has intended.
إنما الأعمال بالنيات، وإنما لكل امرئ ما نوىThey conceal [their evil intentions and deeds] from the people, but they cannot conceal [them] from Allah, and He is with them [in His knowledge] when they spend the night in such as He does not accept of speech. And ever is Allah, of what they do, encompassing.
يَسْتَخْفُونَ مِنَ النَّاسِ وَلا يَسْتَخْفُونَ مِنَ اللَّهِ وَهُوَ مَعَهُمْ إِذْ يُبَيِّتُونَ مَا لا يَرْضَى مِنَ الْقَوْلِ وَكَانَ اللَّهُ بِمَا يَعْمَلُونَ مُحِيطًاIn any case, the stronger opinion is that the difference in intention between the follower and the imam does not harm, so your prayer is valid. Yes.
The questioner : May Allah reward you. The second listener asks.