Joining the Congregational Prayer in the Second Rak'ah

Question

How can one join the congregational prayer when the Imam is in the second rak'ah?

Answer 1

Peace be upon you and God's mercy and blessings.

Ayatollah Khamenei (may God protect him):

If the follower joins the Imam in the second rak'ah, there are three scenarios based on the Imam's prayer:

i. If the Imam's prayer is two rak'ahs, it is recommended for the follower to recite the supplication (qunut) with the Imam, and they can rise during the Imam's sitting (tashahhud) and complete the rest of the prayer alone, or they can wait until the Imam finishes the salutation (tasleem) and then rise.

ii. If the Imam's prayer is three rak'ahs, it is recommended to recite the qunut and the tashahhud with the Imam, and it is obligatory to wait during the Imam's tashahhud, then rise with him and recite Surah Al-Fatiha and another Surah. If the Imam does not give them enough time to recite the Surah, they can suffice with Al-Fatiha and join the Imam in the bowing (ruku). After the two prostrations (sujud), they should perform the tashahhud for their second rak'ah. If their prayer is also three rak'ahs, they can rise after the Imam's tasleem and complete their prayer, or they can wait until the Imam finishes his tasleem and then rise to complete the third rak'ah.

iii. If the Imam's prayer is four rak'ahs, they should act in the first rak'ah as mentioned in the previous scenario. In the second rak'ah (which is the third for the Imam), after the two prostrations, they should perform the required amount of tashahhud, then rise and perform the third rak'ah. If the Imam does not give them enough time to recite the three praises (tasbih), they can suffice with one and join the Imam in the bowing, completing their prayer as previously described.

Source: Message on Prayer and Fasting - Prayer - Congregational Prayer - Duties of the Follower When Joining Different Rak'ahs of Prayer - Joining in the Second Rak'ah

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Ayatollah Sistani (may God protect him):

If the follower catches the Imam in the second rak'ah, they take the reading from him as it is their first prayer and should follow him in sitting for the tashahhud, preferably waiting during the tashahhud. It is recommended to follow him in the qunut and the tashahhud. If they are in the Imam's third rak'ah, they should remain seated for the tashahhud, performing only the required amount without delay, then join the Imam. This applies to all obligatory actions they must perform without the Imam. It is preferable for them to follow him in sitting, waiting for the tashahhud until he finishes the tasleem, then they can rise for the fourth rak'ah. They are allowed to rise after the second prostration of the Imam's fourth rak'ah, which is their third, and complete their prayer.

Source: The Path of the Righteous - Vol. 1 - Rules of Congregational Prayer - M 823

May you be successful in all good.