The ruling on one who catches the imam while he is bowing

This is a message from the questioner, Musa Siraj Ali, who resides in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. He says in his message: We know that whoever catches up with the congregation in bowing, or catches up with the worshippers in bowing, has caught up with the unit of prayer. However, some people say: There is no prayer for one who does not have the opening recitation. I ask for clarification of this issue?
Answer: This is a matter of disagreement among the scholars: does one catch up with the unit of prayer by bowing, or is it necessary to recite with the imam? This is a subject on which the scholars differ, and the correct view is: whenever one catches up with the unit of prayer—meaning the bowing—he has caught up with the unit of prayer. This is the position of the majority of the scholars from the four imams and others, and it is what is indicated by the hadith of Abu Bakrah al-Thaqafi (may Allah be pleased with him) , which al-Bukhari narrated in his Sahih: that Abu Bakrah came while the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was bowing, so he bowed, then entered the row, and then completed his prayer. When the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) finished the prayer, he asked about him and was informed, so he said: And he did not order him to make up the unit of prayer; for this reason, the correct of the scholars' opinions is: that whoever catches up with the bowing has caught up with the unit of prayer, and it suffices for him, and he is not ordered to repeat it. As for his saying (peace and blessings be upon him): , this applies to the one who catches up with the standing and is able to stand. As for the one who is unable, he is excused. This is the position of the scholars of verification and the majority of the scholars. So the one who missed the standing is excused; he prays the bowing with the imam and the rest of the prayer, and that suffices for him. This is the correct view. Yes.
The presenter: May Allah reward you.