What is the ruling on catching the second rak'ah of the prayer while the imam is rising from rukū' but has not yet said "Sami' Allahu liman hamidah" (Allah hears him who praises Him)?
To catch the rak'ah through bowing (ruku'), it is stipulated that the worshipper (ma'mum) must join the Imam before the Imam rises from the extent of sufficiency in bowing, which is the inclination that allows placing the hands on the knees. The majority of scholars hold that whoever joins the Imam while he is bowing, says the takbir, bows, and places his hands on his knees before the Imam raises his head, has caught the rak'ah. So, if the worshipper shares with the Imam in the sufficient inclination, even for a short moment, the rak'ah is counted for him. However, if the Imam is rising while the worshipper is bowing, the rak'ah is not counted for the worshipper.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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