If the imam prays twenty-three rak'ahs in the night prayer of Ramadan, and the follower’s custom is to pray eleven rak'ahs, is it better for him to

The questioner : If the imam in the night prayer prays twenty-three rak'ahs, and the follower has been consistent in praying eleven rak'ahs, does he leave the prayer after completing the eleven rak'ahs and not complete the twenty-three with the imam?

The Shaykh : No, he does not complete it with him. However, he has the choice between praying ten rak'ahs and leaving, then performing the witr prayer at the end of the night before Fajr, or when the imam stands for the eleventh or twelfth rak'ah, he intends to separate from the congregation and says the taslim after the eleventh rak'ah.

The questioner : May Allah reward you.

The Shaykh : And may He reward you.

The questioner : May Allah reward you with good.

The Shaykh : And beware of that.

The questioner : May Allah increase you in His knowledge.

The Shaykh : May Allah increase you, and us and you, in the same.

The questioner : May Allah bless you, peace be upon you.

The Shaykh : And upon you be peace, and the mercy of Allah and His blessings.