What should be done if the congregational prayer (Jama’at) begins whilst offering the [four] Sunnahs at the start of Asr and Isha?

Darulifta Ahlesunnat

(Dawateislami)

Question

   What do the scholars of Islam and the Muftis of Shari’ah say in relation to the following: Whilst offering Ghayr Mu’akkadah Sunnahs inside the masjid, such as the four Rak’aat of Sunnah at the start of Asr and Isha, if the congregation prayer (Jama’at) for Asr or Isha begins, can someone reduce these Sunnahs from four to two and join the congregational prayer (Jama’at)?

بِسْمِ اللہِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِیْمِ

اَلْجَوَابُ بِعَوْنِ الْمَلِکِ الْوَھَّابِ اَللّٰھُمَّ ھِدَایَۃَ الْحَقِّ وَالصَّوَابِ

   In the given scenario, so long as you have not stood up for the third Rak’at, complete just the two Rak’aat of the Ghayr Mu’akkadah Sunnahs of Asr or Isha, and then join the congregational prayer(Jama’at). This is because the Ghayr Mu’akkadah Sunnahs come under the ruling of Nafl Salah, and every two Rak’aat of a Nafl Salah are considered separate to one another. If someone has stood up for the third Rak’at, then all four Rak’aat should be completed.

وَاللہُ اَعْلَمُ عَزَّوَجَلَّ وَرَسُوْلُہ اَعْلَم صَلَّی اللّٰہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّم

Answered by: Mufti Muhammad Hashim Khan Attari