631. If The Imaam Is Praying Taraaweeh When I Get To The Masjid, But I Have Not Yet Prayed 'Ishaa, What Should I Do?

By Asma bint Shameem 

Since the Taraaweeh prayer is read ONLY AFTER  you're done with Ishaa', so what you can do is to JOIN the congregation and pray with them. 

That’s because we are supposed to join the Imaam wherever he is in prayer. 

The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said:

“When you hear the iqaamah, then walk to the prayer and be calm and dignified. Do not rush, and whatever you catch up with pray, and whatever you miss, complete it.” 

(al-Bukhaari 600).

*However, before joining, you should make the intention for your “Ishaa prayer” while the rest of the people are praying with the intention of Taraaweeh.*

Then, when the Imaam finishes and says salaam after the two rakaat, you should not say salaam; rather you should stand up and complete the rest of your Ishaa prayer. 

What NOT to Do

Don't be the like the one who goes to the back, quickly reads four SUPER FAST Rakaat Ishaa', *alone on his own*, *separate from the rest of the congregation* who are praying Taraaweeh and then after he finishes, he quickly runs to join the congregation.  

*That is NOT correct and is against the etiquette of prayer*. 

Besides, there's also no khushoo' in your fardh prayer.

QUESTION

*Is it allowed to have DIFFERENT intentions in the same prayer?*

It is perfectly OKAY for you to have a different intention and the Imaam has a different intention.

PROOF:

“Jaabir ibn ‘Abd-Allaah radhi Allaahu anhu said that Mu’aadh radhi Allaahu anhu would pray with the Messenger of Allaah Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam then go back and lead his people in that prayer.” 

(al-Bukhaari, Muslim) 

Of course the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam KNEW that Mu’adh radhi Allaahu anhu was praying his fardh prayer behind the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam and then leading his people in Ishaa prayer later. 

And that counted as Nafl prayer for him. 

If it was wrong, surely the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam would have corrected Mu’adh radhi Allaahu anhu or said something. 

But he didn’t. 

*Rather his silence is his approval.*

Shaikh Ibn Baaz said: 

"There is *nothing wrong* with his praying with them with the intention of praying 'Ishaa', according to the more correct of the two scholarly views. 

When the Imaam says the tasleem, he should stand up and complete his prayer. 

It was proven in Saheeh al-Bukhaari and Muslim from Mu'aadh ibn Jabal that he used to pray 'Isha', then he would go back to his people and lead them in 'Isha' prayer, and the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam did not denounce that. 

This indicates that it is permissible to offer a fard prayer behind someone who is praying a naafil prayer."

(Majmoo' Fataawa al-Shaykh Ibn Baaz)

And Allaah knows best