Question 207) - A man reaches the Imam who is praying Fajr, and the man did not yet pray the two Sunnah before. What should he do?

A: If he fears that he will miss a Rak'ah but will at least gain the second Rak'ah, he should pray the two Rak'at Sunnah at the Masjid entrance and then join the Imam. If he fear that he will miss both, then he should leave the Sunnah and join the Imam. (61 That is per al-Hidayah. Al-Kafiyah states, "The book does not mention what he should do if he thinks he will at least get the final sitting, but it is obvious from the statement that if he fears missing both Rak'at he should join the Imam, hence in this situation he should also join the Imam. The Faqih Abu Ja'far narrates a view of Imaam Abu Hanifa RA and Abu Yusuf RA that he should pray the Sunnah, because according to them attaining the Tashshahud is like attaining the Rak'ah.?

Al-Hidayah states, "The stipulation of praying at the entrance of the Masjid is due to it being Makruh to pray whilst the Imam is in Salah.")

~ al-Quduri ~