Fatwa ID: 05723

Answered by: Maulana Yūsuf Badāt

Question:

Why do we (Ḥanafīs) not recite anything in the 3rd and 4th raka’at when praying behind a traveller. What is the dalīl?

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Answer:

The correct Ḥanafī position is that a traveller can only offer and or lead two raka’ahs in a four raka’ah farḍ prayer. A resident who prays behind a traveller will complete the remaining two rak’aahs after the traveller imam concludes his ṣalāh. The most reliable position in the Ḥanafī school is that the resident muqtadī (follower) does not need to recite anything in the standing positions of their 3rd and 4th raka’ahs. The reason for this is that the resident is considered behind the imam, in a virtual sense (ḥukman). In the Ḥanafī school, there is no recitation required behind the imam leading congregation. Please refer to a ḥadīth quoted below. – (See: Rad Al- Muḥtār, Vol 2, Page 123 & 129, Dār Al-Fikr)

The Prophet Muḥammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “I think that you are reciting behind your imam?” We responded, “Yes O Messenger of Allāh.” He then instructed, “Do not do that!” – (Tirmidhī 311)

Only Allāh knows best.

Written by Maulana Yūsuf Badāt

Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham