The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ)as saying: When the iqamah is pronounced for prayer, no prayer is valid except the obligatory prayer.
Hadith Text & Reference
"The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: When the iqamah is pronounced for prayer, no prayer is valid except the obligatory prayer."
Reference: Sunan Abi Dawud 1266 | Book: Prayer (Kitab Al-Salat): Voluntary Prayers
Legal Ruling & Prohibition
This hadith establishes that once the second call to prayer (iqamah) has commenced, it becomes prohibited to initiate any voluntary (nafl) prayer. The only valid prayer after this point is the obligatory (fard) congregational prayer.
Scholars interpret this prohibition as applying even to the sunnah prayers that normally precede the obligatory prayer, with the exception of the two rak'ahs of Fajr sunnah, which may be prayed briefly even after the iqamah has started if one has not yet performed them.
Wisdom & Spiritual Significance
The prohibition serves to maintain the dignity and order of congregational prayer, ensuring all worshippers are ready and focused when the prayer begins. It prevents division and disruption in the ranks of prayer.
This ruling emphasizes the collective obligation of congregational prayer over individual voluntary acts of worship, teaching Muslims to prioritize communal religious duties and unity in worship.
Scholarly Exceptions
If one has already begun a voluntary prayer before the iqamah, most scholars permit its completion, though it should be shortened to avoid missing the opening takbir (takbirat al-ihram) with the congregation.
The two rak'ahs of Fajr sunnah remain permissible even after iqamah due to their established importance, as evidenced in other authentic narrations where the Prophet (ﷺ) prayed them briefly when the iqamah was called.