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Hastening to catch the rak'ah while the imaam is prostrating

Question: Is it permissible to hasten to catch the rak'ah (prostration) with the imaam in the congregational prayer? Provide us with a fatwa, and may Allaah protect and preserve you.

Response: If you entered (the place of prayer) and the imaam is prostrating, then do not hasten and join the prayer until you reach the first (available) row (whilst the preceding rows are all complete); This is because the Prophet (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam) said to Abee Bakrah (radhi-yAllaahu 'anhu) when he did that:

«May Allaah increase you in your keenness (to catch the rak'ah), but do not repeat (this action of hastening)», [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree, Hadeeth No.783]

Shaykh Ibn 'Uthaymeen

Majmoo' Fataawa wa Rasaa.il Muhammad ibn Saalih al-'Uthaymeen - Volume 13, Fatwa No.359

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Published: 28 September 2006