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Fatwa CenterPraying Fard behind an Imam praying Nafila
Question
I would like to ask about is it possible to held 2 congregational prayers in the same time? We were praying Taraweeh prayer and another friend came and held Isha prayer behind us in the small apartment we rent to held our prayers. Of course, we got confused from hearing 2 voices at the same time and after they finished we asked them why they did not follow us and then continue Isha prayer. They replied that praying Fard cannot follow Nafila. Is that right?
Answer
Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds; and may His blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all his Family and Companions. The majority of scholars are of the opinion that it is unlawful for the person praying Fard (obligatory prayer) to follow the person praying Nafila (supererogatory prayer) considering him as Imam. Their reason behind that is the fact that the leader in this prayer (the person praying Nafila) is in a weaker state (supererogatory act) as compared to the one he is leading and who is performing an obligatory act. So, there is no objection that the people you are asking about to follow the above opinion. But they should not pray Jama'a (in congregation) in the same praying place where another Jama'a is already held as this will disturb those who started first. In this case, these people could have prayed in another place or prayed in the same place but individually and in a way that does not disturb others. On the other hand, some scholars dislike that a second congregation (Jama'a) be held in a mosque that is not frequented only by a small number of praying people from time to time (like the small mosques built along the highways and roads), and that has a regular Imam without the consent of the latter. Allah knows best.
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