Q:
1. If the latecomer joins the Imam in the first or final tashahhud for even a moment, then does the latecomer finish his tashahhud before rising up (for either the third unit, or to complete his missed units)? If the Imam rises quite soon after the latecomer joins him in the first tashahhud, then is it a factor that the latecomer may be behind the Imam?
2. A latecomer makes the opening takbeer while the Imam is in the first tashahhud. If the Imam begins to rise for the third unit while the latecomer is going down, what does the latecomer do?
3. A latecomer makes the opening takbeer while the Imam is in his final tashahhud. If the Imam says the first Salam while the latecomer is going down to join him, what does the latecomer do?
A:
1. He should complete the tashahhud and then stand up to complete his missed rakaats.
2. He should follow the imaam and return to the standing posture.
3. If he has not joined the imam in the sitting posture and the imam makes salaam, his iqtidaa (following) the imaam will not be correct. Hence, he should break his salaah and restart his salaah. This ruling is mentioned by Hazrat Mufti Mahmoodul Hasan Ghangoohi (rahimahullah) in Fataawa Mahmoodiya.
And Allah Ta'ala (الله تعالى) knows best.
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Checked & Approved:
Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)
Q: Regarding your answer to question 1:
What about if he joins him in the first tashahhud (for even a moment), and the Imam rises up. He would be continuously lagging behind the Imam (because the Imam may have finished Fatiha by the time the latecomer finishes his tashahhud and rises to join the Imam)?
A: The same ruling also applies to the first tashahhud. He should complete the tashahhud and then stand up. If he stands up and the imaam has already gone into ruku, then he should stand for the duration of one subhaanallah and then go into ruku and join the imaam.
And Allah Ta'ala (الله تعالى) knows best.
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