Is there a problem with performing an individual prayer with the intention of it being an obligatory prayer, and then performing another prayer with the congregation, also with the intention of it being an obligatory prayer, while converting the intention of the first prayer to a supererogatory one?
Scholars have differed on what a worshiper should intend when praying a second time in congregation after having prayed alone. There are several opinions: intending it as a supererogatory (nafl) prayer, or intending it as a fard (obligatory) prayer, or intending it as a completion of the first prayer, or leaving the intention to Allah the Almighty. Imam Al-Nawawi and Al-Shawkani favored the opinion that one should intend it as a supererogatory prayer, as there is no way to convert the first prayer from an obligatory to a supererogatory one.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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