How can we reconcile the fact that reciting Al-Fatiha is a pillar of prayer, for which nothing can compensate, with the view that catching the bowing (rukūʿ) with the imam is sufficient for catching the rakʿah, knowing that the hadith of Abu Bakrah does not imply catching the rakʿah by bowing?
Source: FtawySummarized from the full answer at Ftawy · imported Sep 2, 2026
The majority of scholars hold that whoever joins the Imam while he is bowing and bows with him with ṭumaʾnīnah (tranquility) has caught the rakʿah (unit of prayer), basing their view on the ḥadīth of Abu Hurayrah: "And whoever catches the rakʿah has caught the prayer." And in a narration by Imam Aḥmad, it adds: "Whoever catches the bowing has caught the rakʿah." They also cite the ḥadīth of Abu Bakrah, who bowed before reaching the row with the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, and the Prophet affirmed him by saying: "May Allah increase you in eagerness, but do not repeat it." This indicates the sufficiency of that rakʿah.
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