The Ruling on the Prayer of the One Who Thought His Imam Had Concluded the Prayer

Question:
Glory be to Allah. The one praying behind the imam thought in the second unit that the imam had concluded the prayer, so he continued praying as if he were completing the prayer. However, in the fourth unit, he realized that the imam was still praying. It is known that he was excused for his mistake. Does this person’s prayer remain valid, or must he repeat the prayer, or should he deceive his imam?

Answer:
This person is excused; this person is excused. This is considered a state where he is praying with his imam. If the imam has already concluded the prayer, he stands and performs what he missed from the prayer. If the imam has concluded the prayer, he stands and makes up what he missed from the prayer, completing his prayer, and praise be to Allah. If the imam has not concluded the prayer, he follows him and performs what he missed after the imam’s closing salam, because he is excused regarding his separation from the imam. In the case of not hearing the imam’s closing salam, it is considered an excusable error. His prayer is valid, and he must complete it, and nothing is required of him, if Allah wills.