If a latecomer arrives at the congregational prayer and finds them sitting for the first tashahhud, and he sits with them, is the tashahhud obligatory upon him? And if he completes the last two rak'ahs with them, and they sit for the final tashahhud, does he perform the tashahhud alone because he caught two rak'ahs with them, or does he perform the Ibrahimiyyah prayer with them?

The questioner : If a latecomer arrives at the congregational prayer and finds them sitting for the first tashahhud, and he sits with them, is the tashahhud obligatory upon him? And if he completes the last two rak'ahs with them, and they sit for the final tashahhud, does he perform the tashahhud alone because he caught two rak'ahs with them, or does he perform the Ibrahimiyyah prayer with them?

The Shaykh : Yes. If a person catches the imam while he is in the first tashahhud and sits with him, let him perform the tashahhud as long as he has the opportunity, because the tashahhud is a prescribed dhikr for which a person is rewarded and given reward. And if he has prayed two rak'ahs and the imam sits for the final tashahhud, let him complete the tashahhud, and there is no blame on him for following his imam, and because in that there is a supplication for him and for the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him). He will send blessings upon the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and his family, and the believer from the family of Muhammad will supplicate for the blessing of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) and his family, and he is from his family. And he will seek refuge in the last part of the tashahhud, seeking refuge in Allah (Mighty and Majestic) from the punishment of Hellfire, the punishment of the grave, the trial of life and death, and the trial of the Dajjal. So let him not deprive himself of this good. Yes.

The questioner : May Allah reward you with good, O honorable Shaykh.