How should I stand and what should I say when the Imam says the taslim if I am late for the prayer, and should I stand without saying "Allahu Akbar" for the first and third rak'ahs, and with "Allahu Akbar" for the second rak'ah?

Scholars have differed concerning the takbir (saying "Allahu Akbar") for a latecomer ( masbuq) when making up what he missed of the prayer:

1. Some have held that he should say the takbir if he caught an even number of rak'ahs (two) or less than one rak'ah with the Imam. He should not say the takbir if he caught an odd number of rak'ahs (one or three), because the takbir he performed was for sitting, following the Imam. 2. Others have said, including Ibn al-Majishun, that the latecomer should say the takbir absolutely when standing up. This is what some scholars issue as a fatwa for the common people to make things easier for them.

The preponderant opinion is to say the takbir absolutely upon standing, due to the generality that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, used to say the takbir with every raising and lowering.

Accordingly, the prayer of the latecomer is valid whether he says the takbir when standing to make up what he missed or does not say it.