Should the Sunnah of Fajr be Performed First When Jamaa'ah has already started?

Q: Salaah-130: Should the Sunnah of Fajr be Performed once the Jamaa'ah has already started? If the Sunnah is not Performed, should it be Performed immediately after the fardh or after sunrise? What is best?

Answer: Although there are great virtues attached to the Sunnah of Fajr and the Ahaadeeth emphasise its importance, there are also great virtues attached to performing salaah in Jamaa'ah and severe warnings against missing it. One must therefore do one's best to attain both virtues. One should therefore not leave out the Suhnah when there is hope of joining the Jamaa'ah for one Rakaah or even for only the Qa'dah. The Sunnah should then be performed either in the courtyard of the Masjid or anywhere else away from the rows of Musallis because it is Makrooh to perform it close to them. One should leave out the Sunnah to join the Jamaa'ah only when one fears that one will miss the Jamaa'ah altogether. One may then perform the missed Rakaahs after sunrise if one wishes to. It is not compulsory. However, it is strongly prohibited to perform them before sunrise. And Allaah knows best what is most correct.

Fatawa Rahimiyyah vol.2