What should one do who enters the mosque while the Imam is performing the second prayer of a combined prayer (such as Asr or Isha) due to rain? Should he perform the first prayer with the Imam and then perform the second prayer alone, or should he perform the second prayer with the Imam and then make up the first, or should he perform the first prayer with the Imam who is performing the second, and then wait for the time of the second prayer to perform it?

If a latecomer joins a congregation that is praying the 'Asr or 'Isha prayers as a jum' taqdim (combining and bringing forward) due to rain, he should join them with the intention of praying the first prayer (Dhuhr or Maghrib) to observe the sequence and because it is permissible for the intention of the Imam and the ma'mum (follower) to differ.

After the Dhuhr prayer: - If he finds a second congregation, he should pray 'Asr with them as a combined prayer. - If he does not find a congregation and would pray 'Asr individually, he should not combine it and should return home and wait for the time of 'Asr to begin, as he has no excuse to combine it individually.

In the case of the Maghrib prayer: - The latecomer should join the congregation with the intention of Maghrib. - If he joins them in the first rak'ah, he should sit for the tashahhud and make the taslim when the Imam stands for the fourth rak'ah, then join the Imam for the remainder of the 'Isha prayer. - If he joins them in the second, he should make the taslim with the Imam after the third rak'ah. - If he joins them in the third, he should pray two rak'at with the Imam, then complete his third rak'ah individually. - After performing Maghrib, if the congregation is still praying 'Isha, he should join them and complete his prayer. - If he misses any part of the 'Isha prayer with them, he should look for another congregation, otherwise, he should wait for the time of 'Isha to begin and pray it individually.