Hadith Text & Reference

"The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: 'Whoever catches up with a Rak'ah of the prayer has caught up with it.'"

Source: Sunan an-Nasa'i 556 | The Book of the Times (of Prayer)

Meaning & Legal Ruling

This hadith establishes a fundamental principle in prayer jurisprudence: if a person joins the congregational prayer (jama'ah) and manages to perform at least one complete rak'ah with the imam, they are considered to have attained the reward of praying in congregation.

The complete rak'ah refers to being present from the opening takbir through the full prostration (sujood) with the imam. If one joins after the imam has risen from ruku', that rak'ah is not counted as "caught," and the prayer must be completed individually.

Scholarly Commentary

Imam an-Nawawi explains this means the person receives the full reward of congregational prayer, even if they missed earlier rak'ahs. They complete whatever remains of the prayer after the imam's salutation.

Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani clarifies that "catching the prayer" refers to attaining its complete virtue, not that the missed portion is forgiven. The worshipper remains obligated to complete the missed rak'ahs according to proper order.

This ruling applies to all obligatory prayers and demonstrates Allah's mercy in facilitating worship for His servants, encouraging haste to join prayer even if nearly completed.

Practical Application

If you join congregational prayer during the final rak'ah: remain standing after the imam's salutation to complete missed rak'ahs. Recite al-Fatihah and additional surahs quietly in standing positions.

If you join during ruku': complete that rak'ah with the imam, then stand for the next rak'ah. You have "caught" that prayer unit and receive full congregational reward.