A person missed two rak'ahs of a four-rak'ah prayer; what does he do in the remaining two rak'ahs? Does he recite al-Fatihah with a surah, or al-Fatihah only?
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The questioner : A person missed two rak'ahs of a four-rak'ah prayer; what does he do in the remaining two rak'ahs? Does he recite al-Fatihah only, or does he recite al-Fatihah and a surah after it?
The Shaykh : This is a matter on which the scholars differ: is what the latecomer makes up the beginning of his prayer or the end of his prayer?
If we say it is the beginning of his prayer, he recites al-Fatihah and a surah. If we say it is the end of his prayer, he restricts himself to al-Fatihah only. This is the correct position: what the latecomer makes up is the end of his prayer, and he restricts himself to al-Fatihah without adding anything, provided that what he is making up is a part where it is not recommended to recite more than al-Fatihah. For example, if the questioner’s case is that he caught up with the imam for two rak'ahs of the midday prayer and then stood up to make up the remaining two rak'ahs, we say in this case: do not recite [a surah].
However, if he is making up a part where recitation is recommended, such as catching up with one rak'ah of the sunset prayer, in this case he stands and makes up the rak'ah, reciting something from the Qur'an along with al-Fatihah. Then he recites the tashahhud, then stands and performs the third rak'ah, restricting himself to al-Fatihah in it.
My use of the word "making up" (qada') and "he makes up" in this answer means performing it (ada'). Indeed, my use of "making up" in this answer refers to making up what remained, based on the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him):.
The questioner : May Allah bless you.
The Shaykh : This is a matter on which the scholars differ: is what the latecomer makes up the beginning of his prayer or the end of his prayer?
If we say it is the beginning of his prayer, he recites al-Fatihah and a surah. If we say it is the end of his prayer, he restricts himself to al-Fatihah only. This is the correct position: what the latecomer makes up is the end of his prayer, and he restricts himself to al-Fatihah without adding anything, provided that what he is making up is a part where it is not recommended to recite more than al-Fatihah. For example, if the questioner’s case is that he caught up with the imam for two rak'ahs of the midday prayer and then stood up to make up the remaining two rak'ahs, we say in this case: do not recite [a surah].
However, if he is making up a part where recitation is recommended, such as catching up with one rak'ah of the sunset prayer, in this case he stands and makes up the rak'ah, reciting something from the Qur'an along with al-Fatihah. Then he recites the tashahhud, then stands and performs the third rak'ah, restricting himself to al-Fatihah in it.
My use of the word "making up" (qada') and "he makes up" in this answer means performing it (ada'). Indeed, my use of "making up" in this answer refers to making up what remained, based on the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him):
And complete what you missed.
وما فاتكم فأتمواThe questioner : May Allah bless you.