An-Nawawi (may Allah have mercy on him) said:
The Sunnah is to recite out loud in the (first) two rakats of Fajr, Maghrib and ‘Isha’, and in Jummah, and to recite quietly in Zuhr and ‘Asr, and the third rakat of Maghrib, and the third and fourth rakats of ‘Isha’. All of this is according to the consensus of the Muslims, in addition to the saheeh hadiths that all indicate that.
This table provides a clear overview of when to recite out loud and when to recite quietly in each of the daily obligatory (fardh) prayers and the Friday congregational prayer (Jummah).
| Prayer | Rakats | Recitation |
|---|---|---|
| Fajr | First 2 rakats | Recite out loud |
| Dhuhr (Zuhr) | All rakats | Recite quietly |
| Asr | All rakats | Recite quietly |
| Maghrib | First 2 rakats | Recite out loud |
| Third rakat | Recite quietly | |
| Isha | First 2 rakats | Recite out loud |
| Third and fourth rakats | Recite quietly | |
| Friday (Jummah) | Both rakats | Recite out loud |
Guidelines for Joining a Congregational Prayer After Missing One or More Rakats
Here are the specific guidelines for joining a congregational prayer that has already begun and the individual has missed the first rakat:
- Intention (Niyyah): Make the intention to join the congregation for the particular prayer with the intention solely for the sake of Allah and to follow the congregation.
- Joining Position: Quietly join the rows behind the imam without disrupting the prayer, aligning with the rest of the congregation.
- Timing: Wait until the imam completes the prayer by offering the Salam (concluding greetings) to both sides.
- Standing Up: After the imam gives the Salam, stand up to perform the missed rakats, marking the beginning of your own prayer.
- Recitation of Missed Rakats: Perform the remaining rakats independently, following the usual prayer sequence but without the congregation.
- Offering Individual Salam: After completing the missed rakats, offer your own concluding greetings (Salam) to end your prayer.
Following these guidelines ensures that the individual can still benefit from the congregational prayer and fulfill their obligation to pray in congregation while completing the missed rakats independently and without disrupting the congregation.
