❖ Joining the Imam While He Is in Sujood
(Source: Fatāwā Arkān al-Islām)
Question:
If a follower comes to join the prayer and finds the Imam in Sujood, should he wait until the Imam rises or join immediately?
Answer:
Alḥamdulillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa-s-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, ʾAmma baʿd!
The better and preferred action is for the follower to join the Imam in whatever position he finds him, without waiting.
So if the Imam is in Sujood, the follower should also go directly into Sujood.
Evidence:
The general instruction of the Prophet ﷺ states:
«فَمَا أَدْرَكْتُمْ فَصَلُّوا»
Meaning: “Whatever portion (of the prayer) you catch, perform it.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Kitāb al-Adhān, Ḥadīth 636; Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, Kitāb al-Masājid, Ḥadīth 602)
This means that whatever part of the prayer you find the Imam in, you should join him in that position.
ھذا ما عندي والله أعلم بالصواب
