Is repeating the obligatory prayer mandatory?

Chapter on the Times When Prayer is Prohibited

Al-Mughni

Book of Prayer

Book 3 · Issue 2 · Bab 9

Open in Qurani

Primary text

Repeating the obligatory prayer is not mandatory. The established ruling is that it is a supererogatory act (Nafl), and Nafl acts are not obligatory. The evidence is the statement of the Prophet (peace be upon him), "Do not perform a prayer twice in one day," which implies that performing it twice means the second is not obligatory in the sense of an imposed duty.

Supporting text

A secondary opinion within our school suggests that repeating the prayer becomes obligatory when joining the Imam of the locality, based on the Prophet's instruction to join the congregation.