What is the recommended length for the first rak'ah in prayer?
Chapter on the Description of Prayer
Al-Mughni
Book of Prayer
Primary text
It is recommended to lengthen the first rak'ah of every prayer so that those intending to join the prayer may catch it. The primary evidence for this is the narration from Abu Qatadah that the Prophet, peace be upon him, used to read Al-Fatihah and two Surahs in the first two rak'ahs of Dhuhr, lengthening the first and shortening the second, sometimes making the verse audible. He also lengthened the first rak'ah of Fajr prayer and shortened the second. This is established by authentic narrations, including those in Muslim and Bukhari (Muttafaqun Alayh). Further support comes from 'Abdullah ibn Abi Awfa, who stated that the Prophet, peace be upon him, used to stand so long in the first rak'ah of Dhuhr that the sound of footsteps could not be heard.
Supporting text
Al-Shafi'i holds that the first two rak'ahs should be equal in length, based on the narration from Abu Sa'id that the duration of the Prophet's standing in the first two rak'ahs of Dhuhr was equivalent to thirty verses. He also argues that since the last two rak'ahs are equal, the first two should be as well. Abu Hanifah agrees with lengthening the first rak'ah specifically in Fajr prayer, while Al-Shafi'i agrees with lengthening it in all other prayers.