One Who Did Not Pray Maghrib and 'Isha' in Their Proper Times

Q: I entered the mosque while the 'Isha' prayer was being performed. Before joining the prayer, I remembered that I had not prayed Maghrib. Should I pray Maghrib first and then catch up with the congregation for whatever part of 'Isha' I can, or should I pray with the congregation first and then pray Maghrib afterwards?

A: If you enter the mosque and the 'Isha' prayer has been established, and then you remember that you have not prayed Maghrib, join the congregation with the intention of praying Maghrib. When the imam stands for the fourth rak'ah, you should sit in the third rak'ah and recite the final tashahhud—meaning the tahiyyat and the prayer upon the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him)—and the supplication that follows it. Then wait for the imam until he says the taslim, and say the taslim with him. It does not harm that the intention differs between the imam and the ma'mum, according to the correct opinion of the scholars. And if you pray Maghrib alone and then join the congregation for whatever part of the 'Isha' prayer you catch up with, there is nothing wrong with that.