Cutting short the voluntary prayer when the obligatory prayer starts

Reference: al-Muntaqaa min Fataawa Shaykh Saalih al-Fowzaan v5 p51 no.77

Question: I notice some people praying a voluntary prayer, and when the mu.adhdhin announces the start of the prayer, they cut short and dismiss their [voluntary] prayer even though they have already performed one rak’ah but not completed the second rak’ah. So is this permissible or not?

Response: If the prayer has started and the Muslim had started praying a legislated voluntary [prayer] before the [obligatory] prayer had begun, then it is best to swiftly complete it and not to cut and dismiss the prayer, as Allaah سبحانه و تعالى says:

{and render not vain your deeds} Muhammad 47:33


Translation originally published on 28 October, 2005.

Graduate of the Islaamic University of Madeenah, having completed the Arabic Language programme at the Institute of Arabic Language before progressing to the Faculty of Sharee'ah, from which he graduated in 2004.

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