What is obligatory for the ma'mum if he enters the prayer while the imam is in prostration?
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The questioner : If the ma'mum finds the imam in prostration, should he go down into prostration, or should he sit, then say the takbir and prostrate with the imam?
The Shaykh : If he finds the imam standing, bowing, in prostration, or sitting, let him do as the imam does, based on the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): And he said: Sahih al-Bukhari 1236 It is also narrated from 'Abdullah ibn 'Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both) with a chain containing weakness: Jami` at-Tirmidhi 591Da'if (Darussalam).
The questioner : But the question, O Shaykh, is: does he prostrate with the takbir of ihram, or does he say the takbir for prostration?
The Shaykh : No, he says the takbir of ihram while standing, and then when he prostrates, he prostrates without a takbir.
The Shaykh : If he finds the imam standing, bowing, in prostration, or sitting, let him do as the imam does, based on the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him):
Pray what you catch
ما أدركتم فصلواThe Imam is to be followed
إنما جعل الإمام ليؤتم بهWhen one of you comes to the Salat and (finds) the Imam is in a position, then do as the Imam is doing.
إذا أتى أحدكم الصلاة والإمام على حال فليصنع كما يصنع الإمامThe questioner : But the question, O Shaykh, is: does he prostrate with the takbir of ihram, or does he say the takbir for prostration?
The Shaykh : No, he says the takbir of ihram while standing, and then when he prostrates, he prostrates without a takbir.