What is the ruling on two congregations in one mosque at the same time?
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The questioner : If they perform the obligatory prayer, meaning with the intention of Maghrib and 'Isha' as a congregation, and there is another congregation praying 'Isha' at the same time, is there a sin on them or not?
The Shaykh : Leading two congregations in one mosque at the same time is contrary to the Sunnah and contrary to unity. In fact, some scholars have counted it among religious innovations. Therefore, it is recommended that they gather as one congregation, and it is better for the congregation to follow the imam of the first congregation.
The questioner : If they enter while the imam is praying Maghrib, and they are travelers who have already performed the Maghrib prayer and want to pray 'Isha', do they pray four rak'ahs because they want to shorten the prayer?
The Shaykh : The congregation who entered with them while they were praying Maghrib?
The questioner : They prayed Maghrib, and they still have the 'Isha' prayer remaining.
The Shaykh : The second congregation only has 'Isha' remaining?
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : They entered with the intention of praying 'Isha' with those who are praying Maghrib.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : The imam’s intention is Maghrib, and their intention is 'Isha', and they caught up with the imam for the Maghrib prayer, is that not so?
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : If they pray Maghrib with the imam for three rak'ahs and he says the closing salam, they stand up and pray one rak'ah, so the 'Isha' prayer becomes completed.
The questioner : Do they say the closing salam after two rak'ahs?
The Shaykh : No, they do not say the salam, but if they wish, they sit when the imam stands for the third rak'ah, and if they wish, they complete the prayer with him. When he says the salam, they pray one rak'ah.
The Shaykh : Leading two congregations in one mosque at the same time is contrary to the Sunnah and contrary to unity. In fact, some scholars have counted it among religious innovations. Therefore, it is recommended that they gather as one congregation, and it is better for the congregation to follow the imam of the first congregation.
The questioner : If they enter while the imam is praying Maghrib, and they are travelers who have already performed the Maghrib prayer and want to pray 'Isha', do they pray four rak'ahs because they want to shorten the prayer?
The Shaykh : The congregation who entered with them while they were praying Maghrib?
The questioner : They prayed Maghrib, and they still have the 'Isha' prayer remaining.
The Shaykh : The second congregation only has 'Isha' remaining?
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : They entered with the intention of praying 'Isha' with those who are praying Maghrib.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : The imam’s intention is Maghrib, and their intention is 'Isha', and they caught up with the imam for the Maghrib prayer, is that not so?
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : If they pray Maghrib with the imam for three rak'ahs and he says the closing salam, they stand up and pray one rak'ah, so the 'Isha' prayer becomes completed.
The questioner : Do they say the closing salam after two rak'ahs?
The Shaykh : No, they do not say the salam, but if they wish, they sit when the imam stands for the third rak'ah, and if they wish, they complete the prayer with him. When he says the salam, they pray one rak'ah.