If a traveler catches the 'Isha' prayer in a mosque while he still owes the Maghrib prayer, what is required of him?
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The questioner : Two travelers from Madinah to al-Qassim delayed the Maghrib prayer until 'Isha', and we caught two rak'ahs of the 'Isha' prayer in one of the villages. So, should we consider it the Maghrib prayer... or should we not consider it, for example, as a voluntary prayer and repeat the Maghrib prayer from the beginning in congregation?
The Shaykh : If a person enters the mosque without having prayed Maghrib and finds them praying 'Isha', and he catches two rak'ahs with them, let him intend it as Maghrib. When the imam concludes the prayer, he makes up one rak'ah. If he joins them in the second rak'ah of 'Isha' and the imam concludes, he concludes with him, because he has prayed three rak'ahs.
If he joins them from the beginning of the prayer intending Maghrib, when the imam stands for the fourth rak'ah, he cannot follow him. If he follows him, his prayer becomes invalid. Rather, he sits, recites the tashahhud, completes it, and concludes. Then he stands and joins the imam in the remainder of the 'Isha' prayer and completes it as four rak'ahs, because if a traveler prays with an imam who prays four rak'ahs, he must complete four rak'ahs.
This is the last question, because the adhan has been called and Brother Musa is indicating that the time is up.
The Shaykh : If a person enters the mosque without having prayed Maghrib and finds them praying 'Isha', and he catches two rak'ahs with them, let him intend it as Maghrib. When the imam concludes the prayer, he makes up one rak'ah. If he joins them in the second rak'ah of 'Isha' and the imam concludes, he concludes with him, because he has prayed three rak'ahs.
If he joins them from the beginning of the prayer intending Maghrib, when the imam stands for the fourth rak'ah, he cannot follow him. If he follows him, his prayer becomes invalid. Rather, he sits, recites the tashahhud, completes it, and concludes. Then he stands and joins the imam in the remainder of the 'Isha' prayer and completes it as four rak'ahs, because if a traveler prays with an imam who prays four rak'ahs, he must complete four rak'ahs.
This is the last question, because the adhan has been called and Brother Musa is indicating that the time is up.