The ruling on the imam bowing before the latecomer finishes al-Fatihah

The first issue in this episode is a question sent by our listener, the honorable Hamad Abdullah al-Sawat. We have presented some of his questions in previous episodes, and in this episode he has a collection of questions. He asks this question and says: If a person arrives while the imam and the congregation are still standing in prayer, and he says the takbirat al-ihram, and when the imam recites three verses of Surat al-Fatihah he bows, should he bow or complete the surah? It is known that if he completes it, he will be delayed behind the imam and the worshippers in bowing and prostrating?
Answer: In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, and may Allah send blessings and peace upon the Messenger of Allah, upon his family and his Companions, and upon those who follow his guidance.
To proceed: It is obligatory for the ma'mum, when he reaches the imam while he is in prayer, to enter into the prayer with him. If he enters into the prayer with him while he is standing, he recites. It is recommended for him to begin with the opening supplication, then seek refuge, then say the basmalah, then recite al-Fatihah. If he is able to complete it, praise be to Allah. If he is not able to complete it, he bows with his imam and does not complete it. His imam takes his place in this situation, and it is not obligatory for him to complete it, just as if he arrived while the imam was bowing, he would bow with him, and the rak'ah suffices for him according to the correct opinion, and the obligation of recitation is dropped from him because he missed the standing. This is the position of the majority of the imams, including the four imams and others; based on the hadith of Abu Bakrah al-Thaqafi (may Allah be pleased with him) : The meaning is: Do not return to bowing before the row, and he did not order him to make up the rak'ah, which indicates that the recitation is dropped from him because its time has passed. So likewise, the one who arrives while the imam is standing before he bows, but it is not possible for him to complete al-Fatihah, he bows with him; based on his saying (peace and blessings be upon him): So he is commanded to follow his imam. As for if only one or two verses remain of it and he is able to recite them, let him recite them.
The result: If he is able to complete it, he completes it; otherwise, he bows; based on his saying (peace and blessings be upon him): And what remains of al-Fatihah is dropped from him; because he is commanded to follow. Yes.
The presenter: May Allah reward you with good.