What should a congregant do who can neither see the Imam nor anyone who can see him, if he was unaware of the Imam's omission of the first Tashahhud until after the Imam had said the Takbir for bowing and then said: "Samia Allahu liman hamidah (Allah hears those who praise Him)"? And should he bow quickly to catch up with the Imam, or should he move directly to the standing position after bowing?

If someone follows the Imam and then precedes him due to an excuse: his following is not broken.

- The Hanafis: He catches up on what he missed, then follows the Imam, or he follows him and then makes up what he missed after the Imam's salutation. - The Malikis: He catches up on what he missed, unless he fears that he will not catch up with the Imam in the second prostration, in which case he follows him and then makes up the missed rak'ah after the prayer. - Ibn 'Uthaymeen: He performs what he lagged behind in and follows his Imam, unless the Imam reaches his position, in which case he stays with him.

It is better for the ma'mum (follower) to perform the arkan (pillars) in which the Imam preceded him, and then follow him to maintain the order of the prayer. If this is not possible, he follows his Imam and makes up a rak'ah after his salutation. In this situation, the ma'mumeen complete the recitation of Al-Fatiha and then perform a real bowing (ruku') to catch up with the Imam and follow him.