If while offering a supererogatory

404

Q 4: Is the meaning of the Hadith stating, "When the Iqamah has been called for Salah, there is no Salah but the obligatory one," inclusive of the first congregation of the obligatory Salah and other subsequent congregations? To give an example, a group of people performed the first congregation of the obligatory Salah after which another group of people gathered to perform another congregation of the obligatory Salah. Which is proper for the first group; to offer their Nafilah (supererogatory) Salah separately or to (Part No. 7; Page No. 313) join the other group congregating to perform their obligatory Salah?

A: The meaning of the Hadith mentioned above is inclusive of those who embark on performing a Nafilah Salah before the Iqamah to the first congregation of the obligatory Salah is announced and of those who are about to commence a Nafilah Salah after the Iqamah. However, the announcement of an Iqamah to a subsequent congregation of the obligatory Salah does not prohibit initiating or continuing the performance of the Nafilah. This means that those who have already performed the first congregational obligatory Salah may perform the Nafilah while a subsequent congregation of the obligatory Salah is being performed.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.