If I catch up with the mosque congregation in, for example, the 'Asr prayer, and I am a traveler who has missed two rak'ahs, do I have to complete the two rak'ahs I missed, or is it sufficient for me to pray only two rak'ahs?
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The questioner : The honorable Shaykh, for example, I passed by while traveling through a village where the residents are staying and praying the 'Asr prayer.
The Shaykh : Yes.
The questioner : I found them in the last two rak'ahs.
The Shaykh : Yes.
The questioner : Am I required to complete the four rak'ahs, or is it sufficient for me to pray two rak'ahs as a shortened prayer?
The Shaykh : Yes, that is, a traveler catches up with residents in the last two rak'ahs; does he say the taslim with the imam, thereby having prayed two rak'ahs, or does he make up what he missed? We say: he must make up what he missed, because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:Sahih al-Bukhari 635 And Ibn 'Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) was asked: meaning a traveler Yes, after him.
The questioner : Your Eminence, the Shaykh.
The Shaykh : That is, if you have an appointment with me, pray 'Asr with me, if Allah wills.
The student: 'Asr.
The Shaykh : If Allah wills, yes.
The Shaykh : Yes.
The questioner : I found them in the last two rak'ahs.
The Shaykh : Yes.
The questioner : Am I required to complete the four rak'ahs, or is it sufficient for me to pray two rak'ahs as a shortened prayer?
The Shaykh : Yes, that is, a traveler catches up with residents in the last two rak'ahs; does he say the taslim with the imam, thereby having prayed two rak'ahs, or does he make up what he missed? We say: he must make up what he missed, because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
and pray whatever you get (with the people) and complete the rest which you have missed
ما أدركتم فصلوا وما فاتكم فأتمواWhat is the matter with the man who prays
ما بال الرجل يصليHe prays two rak'ahs and four with the imam. He said: That is the Sunnah.
يصلي ركعتين ومع الإمام أربعا قال : تلك هي السنةThe questioner : Your Eminence, the Shaykh.
The Shaykh : That is, if you have an appointment with me, pray 'Asr with me, if Allah wills.
The student: 'Asr.
The Shaykh : If Allah wills, yes.