How to Complete the Remaining Raka’hs of a Congregational Prayer?
Question:
If I joined the congregational prayer later while the Prayer has already started, so they prayed one or more rak`ah (unit of prayer), how could I complete my prayer?
Answer:
In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright.
One who could not join the imam in the first rak`ah is called masbuq (latecomer). So, masbuq is a person who joins the congregational prayer in the second rak`ah or tashahhud of a two-raka`h prayer; in the second, third, fourth rak`ah or in the last tashahhud of a four-rak`ah prayer; in the second, third rak`ah or the last tashahhud of a three-rak`ah prayer.
If one arrives late and the prayer has been started, it is recommended for him/her to join it, rather than praying alone.
Counting a raka`h is by catching up ruku` (bowing) with the Imam, which means that if you reached after it, then the missed raka`h must be repeated. Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated: “I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) saying, “When the Iqamah are pronounced, do not come to it running, you should walk calmly with tranquility to join the congregation, then join what you catch up and complete what you miss.” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)
Watch this important video with Dr. Muhammad Salah to learn more about the rulings of the latecomer or masbuq in prayer.
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Source: Huda Youtube Channel.