If the praying person does not know whether the imam is a traveler or a resident, what should he do?
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The questioner : His EminenceThe Shaykh : We were traveling yesterday, and we found people praying. I did not know if the imam was a resident or a traveler. Sometimes he intends to shorten the prayer, but then he completes it; and sometimes he intends to complete it, but then he shortens it. If we do not catch the opening takbir, what is the correct approach?
The Shaykh : The ruling in this matter is to look at the apparent situation. Look at the apparent situation. For example, if this mosque is on the road, it is most likely that those praying in it are travelers, so you intend to shorten the prayer. But if the mosque is in the town, it is most likely that those praying are residents, so you intend to complete the prayer.
The questioner : All right, Shaykh, what if I intend to shorten the prayer, but the imam completes it?
The Shaykh : It does no harm. Complete it with him.
The questioner : And the Prophet ... the 'Asr ... I do not know...
The Shaykh : We said to look at the apparent situation. What is the apparent situation of this person? We look at the mosque. If the mosque is on the roads or at the stations, such as gas stations, then the apparent situation is that those praying are travelers, so you intend to shorten the prayer.
The questioner : And if it becomes clear to me otherwise.
The Shaykh : If he completes it, then you complete it. For example, if you join him in the second rak'ah and you assume he is a traveler and that he will shorten the prayer, but then he completes it, you complete it. When he finishes the taslim, you perform one rak'ah.
The questioner : May Allah reward you with good.
The Shaykh : Yes.
The Shaykh : The ruling in this matter is to look at the apparent situation. Look at the apparent situation. For example, if this mosque is on the road, it is most likely that those praying in it are travelers, so you intend to shorten the prayer. But if the mosque is in the town, it is most likely that those praying are residents, so you intend to complete the prayer.
The questioner : All right, Shaykh, what if I intend to shorten the prayer, but the imam completes it?
The Shaykh : It does no harm. Complete it with him.
The questioner : And the Prophet ... the 'Asr ... I do not know...
The Shaykh : We said to look at the apparent situation. What is the apparent situation of this person? We look at the mosque. If the mosque is on the roads or at the stations, such as gas stations, then the apparent situation is that those praying are travelers, so you intend to shorten the prayer.
The questioner : And if it becomes clear to me otherwise.
The Shaykh : If he completes it, then you complete it. For example, if you join him in the second rak'ah and you assume he is a traveler and that he will shorten the prayer, but then he completes it, you complete it. When he finishes the taslim, you perform one rak'ah.
The questioner : May Allah reward you with good.
The Shaykh : Yes.