Answered by: Maulana Shadman Ahmed
Question
If the Musalli enters the Masjid whilst the Imam has already commenced his Fardh of Fajr Salah then:
أ. Should he join the Fardh or first perform his two Sunnah?
ب. Up to what point of the Imam’s Salah is he allowed to commence his Sunnah?
ج. Where should he perform his Sunnah if the Jamaat is in progress?
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Answer:
If the Musalli enters the Masjid while the Imam has already commenced his Fard of Fajr Salah then should perform his two rakats sunnah if he knows that he will not miss the two rakats of Fajr. If he feels like he will miss the prayer, then he should not pray his sunnah and join the prayer. He should do his sunnah outside the masjid or in an area that is separated from the main jamaat area. There must be a separation as it is makruh behind the lines.
(Fatawa Mahmudiyyah, vol. 7, pg. 182-191; Fatawa Darul Uloom Deoband, vol. 4, pg. 158)
Only Allah knows best
Written by Maulana Shadman Ahmed
Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham