The bowing of the one who joins the prayer late before entering the row by one or two steps

The questioner : Some scholars mentioned that if a person is facing the row or is very close to it, and even if he has not bowed, if he bows before reaching it by the remaining one or two steps, he catches up with the rak'ah. And if he waits until he reaches the row, then this is the rak'ah in which he bows. So we say, or from the hadith of the Shaykh, the correct response to this is that it is not obligatory. Never.

The Shaykh : Unless he bows while standing in a place that is not considered outside the row.

The questioner : Abu Ali.

The Shaykh : Meaning, it is considered that he is late, for example, or ahead, but if he has bowed and needs to take steps, then his prayer is not valid.

The questioner : What is the criterion?

The Shaykh : The criterion is if it is said that this is as if he is with the people, as if he is aligned with the people.