The Book Of Prayer (Kitaab-ul-Salaat)

A person who joins the congregational Prayer after the first or more Cycles (Rakaats) have
already been offered, is called Masbook. The Masbook must not end his Prayer with the Salaam
said by the “ Imaam” but continue and offer the “ Rakaats” which he had missed out.
If the late comer finds the “ Imaam” in the bowing position (Ruku), he should first offer the
“ Takbeer Tahreemah” while standing, and then while proclaiming another “ Takbeer” proceed
towards the bow. If he proceeds towards the bow while proclaiming the first “ Takbeer” , his
Prayer is void. If he joins with the “ Imaam” in the bow, he is deemed to have attained that
Cycle (Rakaat). (So if he joins the “ Imaam” in the first bow, he is no longer a Masbook).
If a person joins the Prayer after the bow of the first Cycle (Rakaat), or at the beginning of the
second Cycle, he should get up after the “ Imaam” says the "Salaam" - and after reciting the
"Sanaa", "Taawuz", “ Tasmiyah” , Surah alFatehah etc, complete the first Cycle and then sit for
the Qaadah to complete his Prayer. If a person joins the Prayer in the third Cycle (of a four Cycle
Prayer), he should offer 2 more “ Rakaats” fully, to complete his Prayer i.e. he must recite the
Surah alFatehah and a small Surah (or equivalent) after it, in each Cycle.
If he joins during the third Cycle after the bow, but before the bow of the fourth Cycle, he has to
offer 3 Cycles more. He should get up after the “ Imaam” says the "Salaam" - and the after
reciting the "Sana", "Tawuz", “ Tasmiyah” , Surah alFatehah plus a small Surah (or equivalent),
complete the first Cycle which is in fact his second Cycle in counting - so he must then sit for the
Qaadah to complete this Cycle. In the Qaadah he should recite only the “ Tahiyyaat” and
“ Tashahhud” , and get up for the third Cycle. In this third Cycle he should recite the
“ Tasmiyah” , Surah alFatehah a small Surah (or equivalent) and complete it, and without
offering Qaadah get up for the fourth Cycle. In this fourth Cycle he should recite “ Tasmiyah”
and only Surah alFatehah in his standing position (Qiyaam) - and then complete the Prayer
ending with Salaam in the Qaadah.
The Masbook should not get up immediately upon the Imaam's proclamation of the first Salaam.
He should wait to listen to the second Salaam and then get up in order to be sure that the
“ Imaam” will not offer the Sajdah Sahv (extra prostratons upon forgetting). (If the “ Imaam”
has to offer the Sajdah Sahv, the Masbook should follow the “ Imaam” until the next Salaam).
If the Masbook unintentionally says the Salaam along with the “ Imaam” , he need not offer
Sajdah Sahv for this mistake. If he offers the Salaam after the “ Imaam” has, Sajdah Sahv will
become Essential upon him. He must complete his Prayer and offer the Sajdah Sahv at its end.
THE WITR PRAYER & QUNOOT SUPPLICATION
It is reported in Saheeh Muslim by Abdullah ibn Abbas (may Allah be well pleased with him)
that the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) offered 3 Cycles (Rakaats) in the Witr
Prayer. It is also reported in Abu Dawood and Tirmidhi hadith collections, by Hazrat Ayesha
(may Allah be well pleased with her) that the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him)
used to offer 3 Cycles in the Witr Prayer.