When the prayer commences, there is no prayer but the obligatory one.
The Book of Prayer - Travellers
Sahih Muslim 710 b
Hadith Text
"When the prayer commences, there is no prayer but the obligatory one."
Commentary
This hadith establishes a fundamental principle in Islamic jurisprudence regarding the timing of voluntary prayers. When the congregational obligatory prayer begins with the iqamah, all voluntary prayers must cease. This ruling applies even if one is in the middle of performing a sunnah prayer. The wisdom behind this is to maintain the unity and solemnity of the congregational prayer, ensuring all worshippers are fully attentive and prepared for the fard prayer. The only exception is the two rak'ahs of sunnah before Fajr, which may be completed briefly if one has already started them when the iqamah is called.
Juridical Implications
This ruling emphasizes the superiority of congregational prayer over individual worship during its commencement. It teaches Muslims to prioritize communal obligations and to avoid actions that might distract from the collective worship. The scholars have unanimously agreed that once the imam has taken his position and the iqamah has been proclaimed, the time for voluntary prayers has ended, and one should focus entirely on joining the obligatory prayer with full presence of heart and body.