How Should a Latecomer Complete His Prayer? (Shafi’i School)

Answered by Shaykh Shuaib Ally

Question: Assalam alaykum,

If I catch the last cycle of the Isha prayer how should I complete the rest of the prayer once the imam has finished?

Answer: Wa alaikum assalam wa rahmatullah,

If you have performed the last rak’at of prayer with the imam in ‘Isha, you would follow him in sitting for his final tashahhud.

When the Imam completes his prayer, you would then get up and perform what will be for you your second rak’at of prayer. You can then sit for what will be your first tashahhud.

You will then get up and perform the final two units of prayer. This will altogether be the four obligatory units of prayer for ‘Isha.

You will then sit for what will be the second and final tashahhud of your prayer, and end your prayer as normal.

Shuaib Ally