solitary worshipper. It has, however, been reported specifically about the imam that he should repeat the prayer, but the correct view is the one I have already set out for you.

The scholars hold it disliked for one congregation to be followed by another in the same mosque when that mosque has a resident imam.

They have differed over the resident imam who has prayed by himself and then a group arrives afterward: some said the newcomers may form a congregation, while others said they may not. It has also been claimed that the resident mu’adhdhin falls under the same ruling as the resident imam in this matter, but that opinion carries no weight; what Mālik meant is simply that the mu’adhdhin in question is himself the resident imam. Allah knows best.

There is no disagreement that if a group prays first and the resident imam later arrives with his congregation, he is entitled to lead them in a new congregational prayer.