Does one sin who waits for the Imam to rise from bowing to say the takbir with him, fearing the whispers of completing the bowing or rising, intending to join the Imam even if he is in prostration?
There is no sin upon one who deliberately fails to catch the rak'ah and misses the bowing, but he is violating the Sunnah; because the Sunnah is to follow the Imam, and he deprives himself of the virtue of catching the rak'ah. What is prescribed for him is to say 'Allahu Akbar' while standing, then bow with the Imam. If he catches him even for a moment in his bowing with tranquility, he has caught the rak'ah. If the Imam raises his head before the follower bows, then that rak'ah is not counted, and he should continue with the Imam. And whoever doubts whether he caught the Imam in his bowing or not, that rak'ah is not counted, and he should perform two prostrations of forgetfulness (sujud as-sahw).
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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