Is it valid to bow before joining the row if the imam is already bowing, and then to crawl while bowing, with evidence and citation?

The questioner : He saysThe questioner : Is it valid to bow before joining the row if the imam is already bowing, and then to crawl while bowing, with evidence and citation?

The Shaykh : Repeat that for me.

The questioner : He says: Is it valid to bow before joining the row if the imam is already bowing, and then to crawl while bowing, with evidence and citation?

The Shaykh : Yes, if a worshipper enters the mosque and finds the imam bowing, he should bow where he is, then crawl while bowing until he joins the row. By doing so, he catches up with the rak'ah, as long as he participated in the imam's bowing, even if he was outside the row. The evidence for this is established in the hadith of 'Abdullah ibn al-Zubayr (may Allah be pleased with him), which states that it is the Sunnah for one who enters the mosque and finds the imam bowing to crawl and join the row. Similar reports are established from the great Companions, such as Abu Bakr, 'Abdullah ibn Mas'ud, Zayd ibn Thabit, and 'Abdullah ibn 'Umar. It is established from these that catching up with the bowing means catching up with the rak'ah. Specifically, it is established from Ibn Mas'ud that one should crawl to enter the row. This is our evidence for what we have mentioned.