How should a traveler act if he enters the prayer and finds residents praying? Should he complete the prayer or shorten it with them?
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The questioner : A questioner says: If a traveler who has not yet prayed the night prayer enters a congregation praying the sunset prayer, should he conclude with two units or pray four units?
The Shaykh : Praying four units is better than praying two. If he prays two and concludes, there is no harm, because the obligatory portion for a traveler is two units. If he sits and concludes after reciting the testimony in the imam’s first sitting, there is no harm. If he remains with them and performs the fourth unit, there is no harm. This latter option is better. Yes.
The questioner : He performed the fourth unit of the night prayer.
The Shaykh : What?
The questioner : He performed the fourth unit, meaning he completed the night prayer?
The Shaykh : Yes, he completed the night prayer.
The questioner : May Allah reward you with good.
The Shaykh : Who is monitoring the time?
The questioner : There are still ten minutes remaining.
The Shaykh : Praying four units is better than praying two. If he prays two and concludes, there is no harm, because the obligatory portion for a traveler is two units. If he sits and concludes after reciting the testimony in the imam’s first sitting, there is no harm. If he remains with them and performs the fourth unit, there is no harm. This latter option is better. Yes.
The questioner : He performed the fourth unit of the night prayer.
The Shaykh : What?
The questioner : He performed the fourth unit, meaning he completed the night prayer?
The Shaykh : Yes, he completed the night prayer.
The questioner : May Allah reward you with good.
The Shaykh : Who is monitoring the time?
The questioner : There are still ten minutes remaining.