A person asks about the rules regarding joining the congregation during the third rak'ah, addressing three specific questions.
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1 Answer
Peace be upon you and God's mercy and blessings.
Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Sistani (may God protect him):
1 - If you join the imam in the last two rak'ahs, you must recite Al-Fatiha and a complete surah as a precaution. If reciting the surah would cause you to miss the imam's bowing, you may limit yourself to Al-Fatiha. If you cannot complete Al-Fatiha before the imam bows, you may cut it short and bow with him, although it is preferable to pray alone. It is obligatory to refrain from joining the congregation if you are not sure you can complete Al-Fatiha before the imam bows, and you should not recite anything.
2 - If the person in front of you is not ignorant of the ruling but has simply made a mistake in applying it, you are not required to inform them.
3 - The presence of a distinguishable child in the row does not disrupt the congregation if their prayer is valid.
Source: Minhaj al-Salihin, Vol. 1, Rules of Congregation, Article 813 + Conditions for the Validity of Congregation, Article 805 + Official Website
Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Khamenei (may God protect him):
1 - If you join the imam in the third or fourth rak'ah, you must recite Al-Fatiha and the surah. If the imam does not give you time to recite the surah, you may suffice with Al-Fatiha alone and join the imam in bowing. If you know that reciting the surah will prevent you from joining the imam in bowing, you must skip it. If you recite it and do not catch the imam in bowing, your prayer is considered individual. If the imam is in the third or fourth rak'ah and you know that if you join him and recite Al-Fatiha, you will not catch him in bowing, it is obligatory to wait until the imam bows, then join him.
2 - If the person is not ignorant of the ruling but has made a mistake in its application, you are not required to inform them.
3 - If the connection in the congregation is through a non-adult child, and you know that their prayer is valid, it is permissible to follow them and pray in congregation.
Source: Message on Prayer and Fasting, Prayer, Congregational Prayer, Duties of the Follower During Joining Different Rak'ahs, Joining in the Third or Fourth Rak'ah + Special Inquiry + Conditions for Congregational Prayer, Article 723
May you be successful in all good.