A traveler who did not pray the Maghrib prayer and entered the mosque during the time of the Isha prayer while the people are praying: what should he do?
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The questioner : O Shaykh, may Allah reward you with good. Regarding the Maghrib prayer for a traveler, for example: I am a traveler, and I came to a mosque where I had not prayed Maghrib. I attended the Isha prayer, and the congregation is praying Isha for four rak'ahs. I have not prayed Maghrib. How do I enter with the intention of Maghrib in the Isha prayer so that I can attend the congregational prayer while I am praying three rak'ahs?
The Shaykh : There is no problem with this. If you attend the congregation while they are praying Isha and you have not prayed Maghrib, enter with them with the intention of Maghrib.
The questioner : Yes
The Shaykh : Then, if you catch them in the second rak'ah or any subsequent one, the matter is clear. If you catch them in the second rak'ah, say the taslim with them. If you catch them in the third rak'ah, add one rak'ah after the taslim. But if you catch them in the first rak'ah, then when the imam stands for the fourth, sit down, intend to pray alone, recite the tashahhud, and say the taslim. Then join him in the remainder of the Isha prayer.
The questioner : I say the taslim while the imam does not say the taslim.
The Shaykh : Yes, that is correct, because you separated for an excuse. The separation here is for an excuse, because the prayer cannot exceed three rak'ahs.
The questioner : May Allah reward you with good. Can I ask more than one question?
The Shaykh : No, it is not possible.
The questioner : Good, if Allah wills.
The Shaykh : There is no problem with this. If you attend the congregation while they are praying Isha and you have not prayed Maghrib, enter with them with the intention of Maghrib.
The questioner : Yes
The Shaykh : Then, if you catch them in the second rak'ah or any subsequent one, the matter is clear. If you catch them in the second rak'ah, say the taslim with them. If you catch them in the third rak'ah, add one rak'ah after the taslim. But if you catch them in the first rak'ah, then when the imam stands for the fourth, sit down, intend to pray alone, recite the tashahhud, and say the taslim. Then join him in the remainder of the Isha prayer.
The questioner : I say the taslim while the imam does not say the taslim.
The Shaykh : Yes, that is correct, because you separated for an excuse. The separation here is for an excuse, because the prayer cannot exceed three rak'ahs.
The questioner : May Allah reward you with good. Can I ask more than one question?
The Shaykh : No, it is not possible.
The questioner : Good, if Allah wills.