Q: Two men joined the congregational Salah (Prayer) of Maghrib (Sunset) during the first Tashahhud (a recitation in the sitting position in the second/ last unit of Prayer), then they performed with the congregation the third Rak‘ah (unit of Prayer) and recited the last Tashahhud. After the congregational Salah had ended, both of them offered the two missed Rak‘ahs (units of Prayer), but one made a Tashahhud in between and the other did not. They disagreed after the Salah as each one claimed that he was right. Could you please clarify the matter? Moreover, if one of them was wrong; does this mean that his Salah was invalid and that he has to make up for it? A: Anyone who joins the Imam (the one who leads congregational Prayer) in the last two Rak‘ahs (units of Prayer) of a four-Rak‘ah Salah (Prayer consisting of four units) should regard them the first of his Salah. (Part No. 6; Page No. 232

A: Anyone who joins the Imam (the one who leads congregational Prayer) in the last two Rak‘ahs (units of Prayer) of a four-Rak‘ah Salah (Prayer consisting of four units) should regard them the first of his Salah. (Part No. 6; Page No. 232) After the Imam offers Taslim (salutation of peace ending the Prayer), he should stand to make up for the missed Rak‘ahs and regard them as the second half of his Salah. Afterwards, he should sit for the last Tashahhud (a recitation in the sitting position in the last unit of Prayer) then offer Taslim. This is based on the Hadith in which the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “When the Iqamah (call to start the Prayer) has been pronounced, go walking in tranquility, and pray what you are in time for, and complete what you have missed.” The last Tashahhud performed by the Imam is thus considered the first Tashahhud for the latecomers in question. On the other hand, whoever joins congregational Salah of Maghrib during the last Rak‘ah, should pray one Rak‘ah after the Taslim of the Imam, then should sit for the first Tashahhud. Afterwards, he should pray the third Rak‘ah, then sit for the last Tashahhud and make Taslim. However, the person mentioned in the question who did not sit for Tashahhud in the first of the two missed Rak‘ahs is not required to make up for it, because he was ignorant of the relevant Shar‘y (Islamic legal) ruling.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.