Rules for the Latecomer in Prayer
A latecomer is defined as a worshipper who joins the congregation after the imam has begun the prayer, either partially or entirely. There are several specific rulings that pertain to the latecomer, which include the following:
- Recitation of the Opening Supplication: According to the Hanafi school, the latecomer should not recite the opening supplication if the imam has already started the recitation, or if he cannot catch the unit of prayer along with the imam. However, if the prayer is silent, he may recite the opening supplication. The Shafi’i view is that if the latecomer joins the imam in standing in the first unit of prayer and believes he can catch the imam before he bows, he may recite the supplication. If he fears missing the unit, it is better to recite Al-Fatiha since it takes precedence. If he catches the imam while not standing, he should not recite the supplication. The Hanbalis hold that the latecomer is exempt from this supplication if he arrives after the first unit.
- Taking the Opening Takbir upon Bowing: Most scholars agree that the latecomer must say the opening takbir if he catches the imam in a bow. He must perform it while standing; if he says part of it while not standing, it does not count. If he manages to stand and say the takbir while catching the bow, he has succeeded because the opening takbir is a pillar of the prayer.
- Following the Imam: When a latecomer begins his prayer following the imam’s salaam, does this mark the beginning of his prayer or the end of it? The majority view among the Hanafi, Maliki, and Hanbali schools is that this signifies the start of his prayer, and he must make up what he missed, based on the Prophet Muhammad’s saying: “When you arrive at a prayer, do not rush, but approach with tranquility. What you catch, pray, and what you miss, make up.” Conversely, the Shafi’i school maintains that this is counted as the final unit of his prayer, based on the narration: “When you hear the iqamah, proceed to the prayer with tranquility. What you catch, pray, and what you miss, complete.” This indicates that what was missed is considered the initial part of the prayer. Thus, if a latecomer joins the second unit of the Fajr prayer when the imam has performed the Qunoot, he will also perform Qunoot, treating it as his second unit.
- Praying Alone Behind the Row: The ruling here varies based on the circumstances. If the latecomer bows out of the row to avoid missing the unit and then catches the row while the imam is still bowing, there are two opinions: one holds that it is discouraged, especially if there is sufficient space in the row, while the other asserts that it is permissible, with evidence from certain companions. If he takes the takbir without the row but catches the imam after he stands, the Hanafi and Shafi’i schools view the prayer as valid but discouraged. The Malikis maintain that he should not bow without properly being in the row; however, if he does so, his prayer is valid but still discouraged, as being in the row takes precedence over catching the unit. The Hanbalis declare the prayer invalid in this scenario. If the latecomer catches the imam after prostration, the Hanbalis state that this portion does not count as a unit, while the Malikis argue that if he bowed out of the row and caught the imam in prostration, then his prayer is valid but still discouraged. Lastly, if he takes the takbir when not fearing missing a unit, it does not count as the opening takbir since bowing out of the row should only be in situations of necessity.
- Leading the Prayer as a Latecomer: If a latecomer prays what he missed and another person wishes to follow him, both the Hanafi and Maliki schools rule that the prayer of the follower is invalid, and he must repeat it. This is supported by the hadith which states the imam is intended to be followed. Thus, one cannot be both an imam and a follower simultaneously. The Shafi’i school holds that following a latecomer is permissible but discouraged, except for the Friday prayer, where it is not allowed, while the Hanbalis affirm the validity of the prayer. They reference an incident involving the Prophet and Ibn Abbas, where the Prophet shifted the position of Ibn Abbas from to his right, showcasing the transition from being an individual praying alone to one within a congregation.
- Appointing a Substitute Imam: Generally, appointing a substitute is not permissible unless accepted. If he takes the role, he must start from where the imam left off. If he commits an invalidating act in prayer, his prayer is invalid, but that of his companions remains valid. Therefore, if he reaches the end of the prayer, the Malikis opine he should signal for the congregation to sit down, then complete his prayer. The Shafi’is provide the latecomer with the option of either leaving the imam or waiting to conclude prayer with him, while the Hanbalis encourage waiting for the imam to finish so the latecomer can conclude what is missing before joining him in prayer.
- The Latecomer as an Isolated Worshipper upon Completing Missed Units: He begins by praising and seeking refuge, followed by recitation. If he joins the imam in the fourth unit of the Isha prayer, he prays the second unit loudly, then continues the rest quietly. If the imam performs prostration for forgetfulness after the prayer, he should wait to complete the units he missed before prostrating for forgetfulness.
- Increasing the Number of Prayer Units: If the imam mistakenly performs an extra unit in the prayer, this counts for the latecomer. If he enters during the second unit, he should conclude with the imam, as requiring him to perform an extra unit would imply an intentional increase in prayer, which invalidates it.
Timing for the Latecomer to Complete Missed Units
The Hanafi school states that a latecomer should not begin to make up for missed units until the imam completes any subsequent voluntary prayers, if applicable. If there are no additional voluntary prayers, he should wait until the imam turns to face the worshippers. Moreover, the latecomer is not permitted to complete missed prayer units while the imam is still in the sitting position, unless he fears the time may pass or that an excuse may no longer be valid.
Most scholars believe the latecomer can address missed units after the imam’s first salutation because the first is obligatory and the second is a sunnah. The Hanbalis consider the latecomer to stand immediately after the imam completes both salutations, as both are obligatory. If he stands before the second salutation, he must complete it as a voluntary act. It is recommended for the latecomer to wait until both salutations have been completed to maintain the protocol of following the imam. Imam al-Nawawi and Ibn al-Mundhir noted consensus on the validity of resuming prayer after the first salutation. However, the Hanbalis’ insistence on the necessity of two salutations lacks support, as early converts only performed a single salutation.
Prostration for Forgetfulness by the Latecomer
The implications of a latecomer’s prayer concerning the imam’s prostration for forgetfulness are as follows:
- Imam’s Prostration for Forgetfulness before or after Salutation: If the prostration occurs before the salutation, the latecomer must follow him, a position supported by all four schools. If it occurs after the salutation, most scholars from the Maliki, Shafi’i, and Hanbali schools believe he should not follow the imam but instead stand and make up for missed units before prostrating. The Hanafi school suggests the latecomer wait until the imam concludes both salutations and prostrations, then complete his missed units.
- Following the Imam after Forgetfulness and its Impact: The Hanafi view is that a latecomer must follow the imam indiscriminately of whether he realizes the imam’s forgetfulness. The majority maintain that if forgetfulness occurs before reaching the imam and the imam prostrates for it before the salutation, the latecomer must prostrate with the imam and subsequently make up missed units. If the prostration occurs after the salutation, he should delay it until after completing missed units, then prostrate.
- Joining the Imam During Prostration for Forgetfulness: If the latecomer catches the imam in the first prostration, the Hanafi holds that he must follow in the remaining prayer actions. If he catches him after the first prostration, he follows but does not replicate the first prostration. The Maliki school believes forgetfulness does not apply to him as he did not catch a unit with the imam. If he catches him in the prostration for forgetfulness, he is not obliged to make up that prostration. The Shafi’i and Hanbali schools say he should follow if he joins during the first prostration, but if he catches the second prostration, he should perform it with the imam then make up the first prostration after recovering what he missed from the prayer.
- Latecomer’s Forgetfulness While Making Up Missed Units: All four schools agree that the latecomer should perform a prostration for forgetfulness at the end of his prayer, based on the hadith: “If anyone doubts his prayer, he should seek clarification and prostrate twice after finishing.”
- Revisiting Prostration for Forgetfulness if Already Performed with the Imam: The Maliki school holds that the latecomer is exempt from repetition if he has prostrated with the imam. If he did not prostrate with the imam, he should prostrate after completing missed units. The Shafi’i perspective is that he must repeat the prostration for forgetfulness even if he had joined the imam during prostration, while the Hanbalis say he is exempt. However, if he forgets while completing missed units, he must prostrate for forgetfulness.
- Prostration for Forgetfulness without Cause: The majority of scholars assert that prostration for forgetfulness should occur only when there is a reason. Some companions, such as Ibn Umar, Ibn Zubair, and Abu Sa’id al-Khudri, suggested that it is permissible for the latecomer to prostrate for forgetfulness if he caught an odd unit with the imam.