If one catches the imam just before the bowing, should he begin with the opening supplication or recite al-Fatihah?
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Q: If I enter the prayer shortly before the bowing, should I start reciting al-Fatihah or recite the opening supplication? And if the imam bows before I finish al-Fatihah, what should I do?
A: The opening supplication is a recommended practice (sunnah), and reciting al-Fatihah is obligatory (fard) for the one praying behind the imam, according to the correct opinion among the scholars. So if you fear that you will miss al-Fatihah, start with it. And if the imam bows before you finish it, bow with him, and the rest of it is excused from you; based on the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him):Sahih Muslim 414a This hadith is agreed upon by al-Bukhari and Muslim.
A: The opening supplication is a recommended practice (sunnah), and reciting al-Fatihah is obligatory (fard) for the one praying behind the imam, according to the correct opinion among the scholars. So if you fear that you will miss al-Fatihah, start with it. And if the imam bows before you finish it, bow with him, and the rest of it is excused from you; based on the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him):
The Imam is appointed, so that he should be followed, so don't be at variance with him. Recite takbir when he recites it; bow down when he bows down
إنما جعل الإمام ليؤتم به فلا تختلفوا عليه فإذا كبر فكبروا وإذا ركع فاركعوا
Source
binbaz.org.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.