If a man enters the mosque intending to pray Maghrib and finds the people combining prayers, having already prayed Maghrib and intending to pray 'Isha', what should he do?
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The questioner : He says:The questioner : I entered the mosque on a rainy day and found the congregation praying 'Isha at the time of Maghrib, meaning they were combining them, while I wanted to pray Maghrib, knowing that I...
The Shaykh : I did not find the people praying 'Isha.
The questioner : They are praying 'Isha at the time of Maghrib.
The Shaykh : Yes.
The questioner : And I wanted to pray Maghrib, knowing that I did not know which prayer they were praying, so I prayed with them. When the imam stood up for the fourth rak'ah, I hesitated about what to do?
The Shaykh : Yes, and what did you do now? The matter is over now. You hesitated, what did you do?
The questioner : I did not inform [you].
The Shaykh : The questioner is present now. In any case, we will mention the ruling of the matter. If you enter on a rainy day and the people are praying, and you do not know whether they are praying 'Isha or Maghrib, then intend Maghrib. Then, if it is 'Isha and you caught them in the first rak'ah, when the imam stands up for the fourth, sit down and complete the prayer and say the taslim. Then join the imam in the remainder of the 'Isha prayer, even if you know that this is 'Isha. And if you joined him in the second, what do you do? Yes, say the taslim with him because you have prayed three. And if you joined in the third, you add one. In any case, join them with the intention of Maghrib, and the difference in intentions does not harm you, because this difference is not significant. The difference the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) prohibited is that you lag behind him in the ruku', sujud, standing, or sitting.
The questioner : May Allah reward you...
The Shaykh : Until tomorrow morning, if Allah wills, after the Fajr prayer.
And all praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, and upon his family and all his Companions.
The Shaykh : I did not find the people praying 'Isha.
The questioner : They are praying 'Isha at the time of Maghrib.
The Shaykh : Yes.
The questioner : And I wanted to pray Maghrib, knowing that I did not know which prayer they were praying, so I prayed with them. When the imam stood up for the fourth rak'ah, I hesitated about what to do?
The Shaykh : Yes, and what did you do now? The matter is over now. You hesitated, what did you do?
The questioner : I did not inform [you].
The Shaykh : The questioner is present now. In any case, we will mention the ruling of the matter. If you enter on a rainy day and the people are praying, and you do not know whether they are praying 'Isha or Maghrib, then intend Maghrib. Then, if it is 'Isha and you caught them in the first rak'ah, when the imam stands up for the fourth, sit down and complete the prayer and say the taslim. Then join the imam in the remainder of the 'Isha prayer, even if you know that this is 'Isha. And if you joined him in the second, what do you do? Yes, say the taslim with him because you have prayed three. And if you joined in the third, you add one. In any case, join them with the intention of Maghrib, and the difference in intentions does not harm you, because this difference is not significant. The difference the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) prohibited is that you lag behind him in the ruku', sujud, standing, or sitting.
The questioner : May Allah reward you...
The Shaykh : Until tomorrow morning, if Allah wills, after the Fajr prayer.
And all praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, and upon his family and all his Companions.