than one rak‘ah, he receives the reward of congregational prayer on account of his intention. But is he considered to have caught the congregation, or is he regarded as someone who prayed alone? Scholars within the schools of al-Shāfi‘ī and Ahmad hold two views on this.

The first is that he is regarded as someone who prayed in congregation, which is also the view of Abū Hanīfah.

The second is that he is regarded as someone who prayed alone, which is also Mālik’s view. This is the sounder position, because it is authentically reported that the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—said:

“Whoever catches one rak‘ah of the prayer has caught the prayer.”

For this reason, al-Shāfi‘ī, Ahmad, Mālik and the majority of scholars say that a person has not caught the Friday prayer unless he catches one rak‘ah of it. Abū Hanīfah and those who agree with him, however, say that he has caught it if he joins them during the tashahhud.

One practical consequence of this disagreement concerns a traveller praying behind a resident imam. If he catches one rak‘ah, he must perform the prayer in full. If he catches less than one rak‘ah, the two views mentioned above apply.

The correct view is that a person has caught neither the Friday prayer nor the congregational prayer unless he catches one rak‘ah. Anything less does not count for him; he performs it only to follow the imam. Even if it is after the salām, he is like someone praying alone, by agreement of the imams.