Should you cut short a sunnah prayer to join a congregational prayer?

If you are praying and people are about to begin a fard salah in congregation, what should you do?
The priority is to join the congregational salah, but if you’re in the second rakah of your sunnah, you can complete it without cutting it short, as it’s unlikely to delay you beyond the fard salah. Aim to complete it promptly, avoiding any unnecessary prolonging, so you can join the congregation as soon as possible.
If you are praying four rakahs of sunnah, shorten it to two rakahs. If you are praying two rakahs, and finishing them would only mean missing the first rakah of the fard salah, complete your two rakahs quickly before joining the congregation.
Shaykh Haytham Tamim 3rd Nov 2024
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