Question
If you come late and there is no one to stand with you at the back. What’s the correct method? Do you tap the person in front or stand alone?
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
الجواب بعون الملك الوهاب اللهم هداية الحق والصواب
Answer
If the row is complete to both corners, it is better for the new arrival not to start praying alone in the new row, rather he should wait till ruku for someone to come. If someone comes, they can both form a row together. If no one comes and there is a fear of missing the rak’ah, then the new arrival can touch the shoulder of someone in the front row to indicate that they should come to the back row. When he comes back, then he may stand with him. However, it is important to make sure that the one whose shoulder is touched knows this Shar’i ruling. It should not be that they break their prayer due to ignorance.
Here, scholars say that since ignorance of religious matters is common in our time, it is better, in view of this time, that if he does not come back after being touched, the new arrival should start praying alone.
Answered by: Tabaruk Madani (Askmufti Scholar)
Verified by: Mufti Sajid Attari
Translated by: Usman Attari