Is it permissible for someone who is late for congregational prayer to bow at the mosque's entrance and then hasten his steps to join the row, as Abu Bakra (may Allah be pleased with him) did when the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) told him: "May Allah increase your eagerness, but do not repeat it"?

The aforementioned hadith (definition) was narrated by Al-Bukhari and others with the wording: "May Allah increase your eagerness, and do not repeat it (wa la ta'ud)," with the taa having a fatha and the ain having a damma. It is well-known that Abu Bakra bowed behind the row and then entered it. Most commentators have concluded that the prohibition is against repeating such an action, because even if it does not invalidate the prayer, it is better to avoid it. Scholars have differed regarding the number of steps that invalidate the prayer. The correct view is that both "many" and "few" are determined by common practice. Thus, excessive walking that suggests the worshipper is not praying invalidates the prayer, while a small amount is permissible. Saying the takbirat al-ihram (definition) behind the row when there is an open space is disliked by consensus, and it was deemed forbidden by Ahmad, Ishaq, and some latter Shafi'i scholars.