With mutual consultation the worshippers of an area can allocate time for congregational Salat. This time should be when the most people could attend. During the time of the Holy Prophet^(sa) there were no clocks or watches, therefore Muslims would attend congregational Salat through estimation.

Once, someone asked Hazrat Jabir Bin Abdullah^(ra) about the prayers of the Holy Prophet^(sa). Hazrat Jabir^(ra) said the Holy Prophet^(sa) would wait for worshippers to convene in the mosque for congregational prayers. If the majority were present, he would lead Isha. However, if people were coming after the allocated time then he would wait for them to convene. The reason people would come late was because they did not have watches or clocks.

In this day and age we have the comfort of clocks and watches and we should offer Salat on its allocated time. However, the worshippers can wait for others to attend as well.

If the person leading prayers is Allah’s prophet or Allah’s Khalifa, then the worshippers should sit and wait for them to arrive and lead the prayers.