The Ruling on a Resident acting as Imam for the Traveller

Question :

Is it permissible for the traveller to be led in prayer by the resident? And is it permissible for him, after finishing the prayer, to combine with it the prayers which it is permissible for him to combine, either alone, or in a congregation of others like himself?

Answer:

Yes, it is permissible for the traveller to be led in prayer by the resident. Except that he is obliged to follow him in his prayer until he makes the Taslim; i.e. it is not permissible for him, while he is being led by a resident, to shorten a four- Rak'ah prayer. Rather, he is obliged to complete it, following his Imam.

This is in acordance with the narration of Ahmad, on the authority of Ibn 'Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him, who was asked: "Why does the traveller offer two Rak'ahs if he praying alone, but four, if he is being led in prayer by a resident?" He replied: "That is the Sunnah." And in another narration: "That is the Sunnah of Abul-Qasim (i.e. the Prophet "Ibn Hajar mentioned this Hadith in At-Talkhis Al-Habir and he made no criticism of it, saying: "The basis of it is in Muslim and An-Nasa'i.

So when he finishes his prayer, it is permissible for him to combine what he is licensed to combine, whether alone or in congregation with other travellers.

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