What is the ruling regarding a traveler being led in prayer by a resident who is praying a two-rak'ah prayer, such as the Fajr prayer as a make-up, or the regular Dhuhr sunnah prayer? Is the traveler obligated to complete the prayer based on the imam being a resident, or should he shorten it based on the number of rak'ahs in his prayer being equal to the number of rak'ahs in the imam's prayer?
This issue only arises according to the school of thought of the Shafi'is and those who agree with them regarding the permissibility of a difference in intention between the Imam and the congregant, which is the preponderant opinion. The Shafi'i jurists differed on this matter in two ways, and the preponderant opinion among them is the necessity of completing the prayer (itmam) because his Imam is completing it. This is what the has settled upon and what the jurists have deemed correct. What further strengthens this view is that shortening the prayer (qasr) during travel is supererogatory and not obligatory according to the majority of scholars. Therefore, it is more cautious for the traveler to complete his prayer behind the resident Imam.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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