Is it permissible to offer the Sunnat Salaah while the congregational (Fard) Salaah is in progress?

Question: Is it permissible to offer the Sunnat Salaah while the congregational (Fard) Salaah is in progress?

The Answer: It is impermissible and sinful to commence any Sunnat Salaah during the Iqaamah or while the congregational Fard Salaah is in progress (with the exception of Fajr Sunnat, which have specific considerations). This ruling applies even if one is confident that they will complete the Sunnat in time to join the congregation.

However, if a person begins the Sunnat before the Iqaamah has commenced and is certain that they will be able to join the congregation for the Fard Salaah in time, then there is no harm in doing so.

As stated in Bahaar-e-Shariat:

"If the congregation has not yet started, one may begin any Sunnat Salaah wherever they wish. But if they know that the congregation is about to start soon and they won't finish the Sunnat in time, then they should not perform it in a place where it would disturb or break the row (Saff)." (Bahaar-e-Shariat, Volume 1, Part 4, Page13; Qaadri Kitaab Ghar, Bareilly Shareef) And Allah Almighty Knows Best

SEEKER OF YOUR DUAAS:

Mufti Mohammad Quaiser Ali Razvi Misbahi Founder & Principal of Darul Uloom Ala-Hazrat, Imam of Masjid e Khalid, Unit 9 Chatsworth.