Two Business Partners Taking Turns Going to the Mosque for Maghrib

Question

Two people are partners in trade. When the time of Maghrib comes, one partner goes to the mosque to pray and the other partner stays at the shop. When the first partner returns after praying in congregation and stays at the shop, the second partner goes to pray, and by the time he prays it is the last part of the prayer’s time. He habitually does this every day. What is the state of his prayer? Is his prayer valid or not?

Answer

The best course is to perform every prayer in congregation, going to the mosque and joining from the first takbir (takbir al-ula). Rather than praying Maghrib by going to the mosque so late that the stars have crowded together and the end of the time has come, it is better to take someone along and hold the congregation right at the shop within the mustahabb time.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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