What is the ruling on a ma'mum bowing when the imam prostrates for the recitation?

Question : The questioner asks: What is the ruling on the worshippers who bowed when the imam prostrated for the recitation of the verse of prostration? They did not hear the verses clearly, and they did not prostrate for the recitation, but they bowed and completed the prayer.

Answer : If the imam prostrates for the recitation and the ma'mum thinks he is bowing, so the ma'mum bows on the assumption that the imam has bowed, he is in one of two situations. The first is that he knows the imam is prostrating while he is bowing. If he sees the imam prostrating, it is obligatory for him to prostrate, even if he is in the bowing position, following his imam. This is one situation. The second situation is that he does not realize the imam is prostrating until after the imam has risen from the prostration. In that case, we tell the ma'mum who bowed: Bow now, bow with your imam, and continue. The prostration for the recitation has dropped off you in that case, because the prostration for the recitation is not a pillar of the prayer that requires you to perform it after your imam. Rather, you are required to follow the imam, and the opportunity for following him has passed here. So it is a recommended practice whose time has passed. Therefore, bow with the imam and continue in your prayer. Yes.