Congregation: Standing alone in the back when joining late, is it permissible?

Praying behind a jama`ah while standing in a row on one's own is makruh, but not haram, nor does it invalidate the prayer if one stands apart from the row. However, it seems that exerting oneself to fill a gap and then saying the opening takbir is better than simply saying the opening takbir behind the jama`ah while standing in a row on one's own, even if one fears missing the group prayer. The reason for this is that doing so takes one out of the disagreement of those who say that praying behind a group while standing in a row on one's own invalidates the prayer of the person who stands alone, and it is possible that one might catch the group prayer.

Amjad Rasheed

(Translated by Shazia Ahmad)

السؤال: إذا خشي المسبوق أنه لو مشى حتى يتم الصف في الصلاة فسوف تفوته ، فهل يجوز له أن يقف خلف الصف لوحده ؟

الجواب : صلاة المنفرد خلف الصف مكروهة وليست بحرام ، ولا تبطل الصلاة بالانفراد عن الصف ، لكن السعي للدخول في الصف ثم الإحرام أولى من الإحرام خلف الصف منفردا ولو خشي فوت الجماعة كما يظهر ؛ خروجاً من خلاف القائل ببطلان صلاة المنفرد خلف الصف ، والجماعة قد يحصلها .