Question: The latecomer who catches the imam while he is bowing: the author explicitly states that he pronounces the opening takbir, and that it suffices in place of the takbir for bowing (1). He also states that if he were to pronounce a takbir for bowing as well, that would be better. But if he catches him in a position other than bowing—for example, if he finds the imam sitting, or catches him after he has risen from bowing, or finds him prostrating—then he pronounces the opening takbir. But should he pronounce a second takbir or not?

The answer is that this is a matter over which the scholars differ:

The first view is that he goes down without pronouncing a takbir.

The second view is that he goes down with a takbir.

Those who hold that he goes down with a takbir reasoned that this is analogous to catching the imam in bowing. If one catches him in bowing, one pronounces one takbir for entering the prayer and another for bowing. Thus, if one finds him sitting, he should pronounce the opening takbir and then pronounce a takbir for sitting.

Those who hold that he goes down without a takbir say: Your transition from standing to bowing is a transition from one pillar of the prayer to the one that immediately follows it, so it is a transition in its proper place. But when you join the imam while he is sitting, your transition from standing to sitting is a transition to a pillar that does not immediately follow it. Since it is a transition to a pillar that does not immediately follow it, there is no takbir here, because the takbir is prescribed only when moving from one pillar to the pillar that immediately follows it. Here, however, it does not immediately follow it, so he does not pronounce a takbir. This is the well-known view among the jurists, may Allah have mercy on them: that he goes down without a takbir.

Nevertheless, we say: If a person pronounces a takbir, there is no harm; and if he leaves it, there is no harm. We leave the choice to the individual, because there is no clear evidence