The manner of performing the Maghrib prayer for one who joins the imam in the final tashahhud

Question:
If I enter the Maghrib prayer while the congregation is in the final tashahhud and I join them, then the imam says the taslim and I stand up to complete the prayer, should I pray one rak'ah and sit for the first tashahhud, or should I pray two rak'ahs and sit for the first tashahhud and then perform a third? Please inform us, may Allah reward you.

Answer:
It is prescribed for one who joins the imam in the final rak'ah, whether in the tashahhud or the sujud, to join him and complete the prayer with him. Then, when the imam says the taslim, he stands up and performs two rak'ahs, then sits for the first tashahhud, and then performs the third. This is the legislated manner of performing the Maghrib prayer for one who missed the entire prayer. As for one who missed only one rak'ah, when the imam says the taslim, he stands up and performs one rak'ah, which becomes his second, then he sits and performs the first tashahhud, then he stands up for the third to complete his prayer. And success is from Allah. End of the text.