Is it permissible for a worshipper to begin praying alone behind the Imam if he knows that other worshippers will join him in the row?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
The majority of scholars hold that it is disliked for an individual to pray alone behind a row without an excuse. However, the Hanbalis consider the prayer of one who prays a complete rak'ah alone behind a row without an excuse to be invalid. It is permissible to enter behind the row if you know that someone will stand with you. If no one comes, scholars differ on the permissibility of pulling someone from the row; some permit it, while others dislike it. It is preferable not to pull anyone. There is no harm in an individual praying alone behind the row if the row is full; this is considered an excuse.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/47250
Where this answer came from
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- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 47250
- Added here
- . This is when the answer was added to El Fatwa, not the fatwa's date.
- Text
- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
- Read the full ruling
- Read the full answer on Ftawy