Is the follower obligated to follow the Imam in an unintentional increase in the number of Rak'ahs, or should he sit and wait for the Imam to say the Tasleem?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
If the Imam makes a mistake and adds an extra rak'ah, and the ma'mum (follower) becomes aware of this addition, then it is not permissible for him to follow the Imam in the extra rak'ah; otherwise, his prayer will be invalidated. The ma'mum has the choice between leaving the Imam and concluding his prayer, or waiting for the Imam to conclude his prayer and then concluding with him. This latter option is the more correct one, due to the saying of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him: "O people! I am your Imam, so do not precede me in bowing, nor in prostrating, nor in standing, nor in departing."
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/31015
Where this answer came from
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- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 31015
- Added here
- . This is when the answer was added to El Fatwa, not the fatwa's date.
- Text
- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
- Read the full ruling
- Read the full answer on Ftawy