The Imam’s Alert When a Latecomer Enters While He Is Bowing

Question:
Our brother says: I notice that when some of the worshippers enter while the imam is in bowing, they do something to alert the imam that they are coming and want to catch the rak'ah. Some of them say, “Indeed, Allah is with the patient,” and some of them clear their throats, and some of them make some kind of noise. What is your opinion on this, and is there any blame on the imam if he prolongs the bowing?

Answer:
The best course in this is for the imam, if he senses that someone is entering, not to rush so that the person can catch the bowing. This is because, according to the correct view, the rak'ah is secured by catching the bowing, based on the practice of the scholars. If a person catches the bowing, he has secured the rak'ah, but he is deficient regarding the recitation of al-Fatihah, because he missed the standing, which is the place for al-Fatihah, and he is deficient in not reciting it, because he missed the place for the standing recitation, except for the scholars’ practice of making up for it. Unless he recites al-Fatihah and others, the prayer is considered valid if he catches the bowing, according to the two correct views. So, if the imam hears the movement of the person entering, the best for him is not to rush, because the Sunnah of moderation indicates this. However, he should not prolong it to the point where it becomes difficult for the people; he should only add a little, without making it difficult for the people, so that the latecomer can catch the bowing. This is the best. As for a person clearing his throat, or saying “Allah is with the patient,” or doing something similar, I do not know that this is better. In my opinion, the best and closest to the truth is to leave that alone, because it is not permissible for anyone to make a sound without permission, except for the believer. He should walk at the usual pace until he straightens the row. If he catches the praise of Allah, he does so, and if he misses it, he completes the praise of Allah. As for , it seems that this tranquility allows one to pray while being pursued and to settle down.
The meaning is that the believer, when he enters to pray, and when he exits, he does not rush. Rather, he walks at the usual pace. Then, when he reaches the row, he says the takbir, bows with the people, prostrates on his own like the prostrating ones, and does not change anything. He does not rush, and he does not run. There is no report indicating that he should clear his throat or change anything to let the imam know. This is not the opinion that he should let the imam know, until he complains, if Allah wills, or not.