An imam (ratib) of a masjid tells latecomers to pray alone rather than form a second jama’ah, citing a hadith about receiving the reward despite missing jama’ah. Sheikh Ibn Baz considered this view marjuh. What is the correct ruling, and what is the best way to go about this situation politely.

Ustadh AbdulAziz al-Haqqan

The scholars differ on this. Shaykh Ibn Baz, Shaykh Ibn Uthaymin, and the Permanent Committee held that latecomers who arrive by chance may pray in a second jama’ah, while Shaykh al-Albani held it disliked in a masjid with a regular imam.