Question: If a person enters the Masjid while the Imam has already commenced the Fardh Salaah of Fajr; should he join the Fardh Salaah or should he first perform the two Rakaats Sunnah?

Answer: The Messenger Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam said:«ركعتا الفجر خير من الدنيا وما فيها» رواه مسلم
"The two Rakaats before Fajr are better than this world and all that it contains."(Muslim)

Keeping the above in mind, when a person - who has not yet performed his Sunnah Salaah of Fajr - enters the Masjid, he should guage how far the Salaah has progressed. If it is possible for him to perform his Sunnah Salaah and still join the Imam before Salaam, then should perform the Sunnah. However, if he fears that he may miss the Jamaat then he should not read it.

There is no Qadha for the Sunnan of Fajr if the Fardh has been performed.

The Salaah should be performed outside the Masjid. If there is no place outside the Masjid then he may read it behind any pillar or wall in the Masjid. (Shami V1/P378)

AND ALLAH KNOWS BEST

Yusuf Moosagie

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