What is the ruling when the Imam divides the congregation into four groups or three groups during a four-Rak'ah prayer?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of the Prayer of Fear
Primary text
If the Imam divides them into four groups, praying one Rak'ah with each, or three groups praying one, one, and two Rak'ahs respectively, the prayers of the first two groups are valid because they followed someone whose prayer is sound, and they did nothing to invalidate their own prayer. However, the Imam’s prayer is invalidated by the third waiting period because it is an extended wait not transmitted from the Prophet (peace be upon him), thereby invalidating his prayer as if he did it without apparent cause.
Supporting text
The prayers of the third and fourth groups are invalid due to their following an Imam whose prayer has been nullified, akin to following someone whose prayer was invalid from the beginning. There is no distinction whether the Imam had a need for the extended wait or not, as concessions (Rukhas) must be strictly based on what the Law has transmitted. Regarding the first two groups who were unaware of the Imam's prayer being void, one opinion holds their prayer is valid as the defect was hidden, like following someone in a state of minor impurity (Hadath). Another view holds their prayer is invalid because both Imam and follower know the existence of the invalidating factor, even if they are ignorant of its specific ruling, similar to knowing the Imam has Hadath but not knowing Hadath invalidates prayer. A third opinion suggests the prayer is valid for both Imam and followers due to necessity, paralleling the two-group division. A final view holds that the prayer is invalidated from the first wait because it exceeds what the Prophet (peace be upon him) practiced.