The ruling on the prayer of one who did not bow with the imam

Question:
Honorable Shaykh, I prayed behind an imam in a quiet prayer. He bowed, but I had not finished reciting al-Fatihah. I finished it, and then the imam rose from the bowing before I had bowed. I bowed after that and then caught up with the imam. Is my prayer valid?

Answer:
Your prayer is valid, but you made a mistake by not bowing with the imam. If you had done this intentionally, your prayer would have been invalid. However, since you did not intend it, there is no obligation to complete the recitation of al-Fatihah. If the imam bows, you must bow with him, even if you have not finished al-Fatihah. Abu Bakr al-Bakkari came while the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) was bowing, so he bowed with him and did not stand. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) told him to recite al-Fatihah, but it was excused from him. If the imam bows, it is obligatory for you to follow him, even if you have not finished al-Fatihah. Yes.