That Part of the Prayer which the Follower Catches with the Imam is the First Part of His Prayer
Question :
A man entered the mosque to pray Maghrib and he caught two Rak'ahs with the Imam and prayed the last Rak'ah alone. Should he recite aloud in this Rak'ah and recite Surah Al-Fatihah, considering that he has prayed the last Rak'ah with the Imam, and should it be considered that the Rak'ah which he prayed with the Imam is the second?
Answer:
The Rak'ah which he prayed after the Imam made his Taslim is considered his last Rak'ah therefore it is not lawful for him to recite aloud therein. This is because the most authoritative of the two companions opinions held by the scholars is that what the latecomer caught of the prayer is considered the beginning of his prayer, and what he makes up is the end of it, according to the Hadith of the Prophet who said:
"If you come to prayer, then walk with tranquility; then pray whatever you can catch of the prayer, and then complete what you missed.
Source:
Ibn Baz
Fatawa Islamiyah, Vol. 2 Page 165
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