Question
I had missed the Asr Salaat with Jamaat and had begun performing the 4 raka'ts Asr Fardh. A few Somali brothers joined me. I did not make intention to lead the Jamaat. People simply join one without knowing which Salaat one is performing, whether Nafl, Sunnat, Fardh or Qadha. I continued silently without reciting the Takbeers audibly. The group followed my motions while I completed my Salaat silently. What is the status of the Salaat of those who had joined? In future should I assume the position of the Imaam if this happens?
Answer
In the case described by you, Hanafis may not join you unless they are aware of the Salaat you are performing. If Hanafis are aware that you are performing Asr Fardh for example, then they may join you only for Asr. Then you should assume the Imaam's position by moving forward, and conducting the Salaat as an Imaam would do. According to the
Hanafi Math-hab, it is not a requisite for the Imaam to make intention of Imaamate. However, it is necessary for the Muqtadis to make niyyat of 'following this Imaam'. They have to make the intention of Iqtida (i.e. of being muqtadis).
For Shaafis it is permissible to join a person even if he is performing one Salaat and the muqtadis another Salaat, e.g. you were performing Asr, and perhaps those who joined were performing Zuhr Qadha. This according to the Shaafi Math-hab is valid. Even for Shaafis it is not compulsory for the Imaam to make niyyat of imaamate. Your Salaat was valid as well as the Salaat of the Somalis who had joined you since they are Shaafis. In future, say the Takbirs aloud.
- Source
- themajlis.co.za
- Published in
- The Majlis Vol 19 No 07
- PDF page
- 5
Appears under Questions and Answers (approximate).