Question Summary:
Is it permissible to offer Fajr Sunnah whilst Farz is going on ?

Question Detail:

Salam. I saw in one of the videos on Youtube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDVNHF_M2t4) by Sheikh Assim Al Hakeem that it is impermissible to offer sunnah prayer while farz salah of fajr is going on in mosque, as is the tradition in several South Asian countries, even if you are sure to join the farz,
 
Kindly verify. JazakAllah Khair

Answer :

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.
 
According to the Hanafi Madhab, if the Fajar Salah has commenced and one has not performed the sunnats of Fajar, then he should perform the two rakats sunnats if he is able to join the Imam before the Imam makes salam.[i]
 
This opinion is also supported by the following Ahadith:
 
عن عائشة، «أن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم لم يكن على شيء من النوافل أشد معاهدة منه على ركعتين قبل الصبح»
صحيح مسلم (1/ 501)
Translation: Aisha Radhiyallahu Anha narrates that Nabi ﷺ was not as particular about Nawafil as he was regarding the two rak'ahs of the dawn prayer. (Sahih Muslim 1/501)
 
عَنْ أَبِي الدَّرْدَاءِ «أَنَّهُ كَانَ يَدْخُلُ الْمَسْجِدَ وَالنَّاسُ صُفُوفٌ فِي صَلَاةِ الْفَجْرِ , فَيُصَلِّي الرَّكْعَتَيْنِ فِي نَاحِيَةِ الْمَسْجِدِ , ثُمَّ يَدْخُلُ مَعَ الْقَوْمِ فِي الصَّلَاةِ»
شرح معاني الآثار (1/ 375)
Translation: Abu Darda Radhiyallahu Anhu narrates that he would enter the Masjid whilst people were in their rows in Salatul Fajr, so he would perform two Rakats in the corner of the Masjid, then he would join the people in Salah. (Sharh Maani al Athaar 1/376)

عَنْ أَبِي عُثْمَانَ، قَالَ: «كُنَّا نَجِيءُ وَعُمَرُ بْنُ الْخَطَّابِ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ فِي صَلَاةِ الصُّبْحِ, فَنَرْكَعُ الرَّكْعَتَيْنِ , ثُمَّ نَدْخُلُ مَعَهُ فِي الصَّلَاةِ»
شرح معاني الآثار (1/ 376)
Translation: Abu Uthman narrates that we would go whilst Umar Radhiyallahu Anhu would be in Fajar Salah, so we would perform two Rakats, then we join Hazrat Umar Radhiyallahu Anhu in Jamat. (Sharh Maani al Athaar 1/376)
 
We recognise the fact that the other Imams of Fiqh have differing views. However, every Muqallid is bound to follow his Imam and respect the views of the other Imams.
 
And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best
Ridhwan Ur Rahman
Student Darul Iftaa
Cardiff, Wales, UK
 
Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.