Should a latecomer to salah count an extra rakah performed with the Imam?

In a Nutshell: A latecomer joining an ongoing prayer (masbooq) doesn't count an extra rak'ah unintentionally performed by the Imam. The latecomer completes the prayer with the Imam and then completes any missed rak'ah(s) individually. Table of Contents Introduction Background Evidences Why the Extra Rak'ah Doesn't Count for the Latecomer Misconceptions about Completing Prayer When Joining Late FAQs Conclusion Introduction Salah (prayer) is one of the five pillars of Islam and performing it correctly and on time is obligatory for every Muslim. When possible, Muslims are encouraged to attend congregational prayers at the mosque and benefit from the multiplied reward [1]. Following the Imam (prayer leader) is a core principle of congregational prayer. The Prophet (saw) said: "Pray as you see me pray." (Sahih al-Bukhari) Background A person who joins an ongoing prayer after it has begun is called a masbooq. Sometimes, a masbooq might arrive during a rak'ah the Imam unintentionally extends. This can lead to confusion about how many rak'ahs the latecomer should complete. Evidences Quranic Verses Allah (swt) says in the Quran: And establish prayer and give zakah and obey the [ruling] authority among you.(Quran 4:59) And when you are among the believers and you lead them in [setting forth for] prayer, let a group of you [who are] traveling pray with you while they stand behind you. And let the other group - those who have not yet prayed - pray with you; then let them come forward after they pray and recite tashahhud to you, for indeed, they are [to be] responsible. Then, when they have completed [their prayer], let them go forward [and] pray with you. And Allah will reward the grateful.(Quran 4:102) Hadiths The Prophet (saw) said: Whoever comes to the mosque and finds the people praying, then let him pray what they have caught up with and then complete what he has missed. [Sahih al-Bukhari] If one of you comes to the mosque while the Imam is in ruku', then go into ruku' with him. That is considered as one rak'ah for you and then complete whatever is left of the prayer. [Sahih Muslim] Scholarly Opinions There is scholarly consensus among the major schools of Islamic jurisprudence that a masbooq does not count an extra rak'ah unintentionally performed by the Imam. They base this on the importance of following the Imam's actions in prayer and avoiding any actions that might invalidate one's own prayer. Why the Extra Rak'ah Doesn't Count for the Latecomer Several points clarify why the extra rak'ah performed by the Imam doesn't count for the latecomer (masbooq): The Concept of Following the Imam In congregational prayer, it is essential for those praying behind the Imam to follow his actions precisely. The latecomer's primary focus is to stay in sync with the Imam's movements and complete the prayer accordingly. Potential for Invalidation If the latecomer were to add a rak'ah beyond what the Imam intends, the prayer could become invalid. This is because deliberately adding an extra rak'ah outside the established structure nullifies the prayer. Scholarly Consensus and Reasoning The consensus among scholars from different schools of Islamic jurisprudence rests on a careful analysis of the Prophetic teachings and principles of Islamic law. They agree that the latecomer should prioritize following the Imam and maintaining prayer validity. Misconceptions The latecomer must complete the same number of rak'ahs as the Imam. The latecomer's obligation is to complete their own prayer regardless of the Imam's actions. Adding extra rak'ahs unintentionally performed by the Imam would disrupt the prayer's established structure. It's disrespectful to finish before the Imam even if he prays extra. Completing one's prayer correctly according to Islamic rulings takes precedence over social etiquette. In this situation, the focus should be on preserving the prayer's validity. Latecomer joins in the last rak'ah and the Imam prays an extra rak'ah Even in this scenario, the latecomer should offer the final taslim with the Imam, indicating the end of their prayer. They would then stand up and complete the missed rak'ahs individually. The Hadith about whatever you catch up with applies here The principle indicated by this Hadith is that a latecomer is rewarded for the portion of the prayer they are able to complete with the Imam. The concept doesn't necessarily include any unintentional actions performed by the Imam. FAQs Should the latecomer inform the Imam about the mistake? It's advisable for a person behind the Imam who notices the mistake to gently alert the Imam after completing their own prayer. Doing so discreetly can prevent others who arrive later from being confused. What if the Imam forgets and doesn't perform the prostration of forgetfulness (sajdah al-sahw)? If the Imam completes the prayer without performing sajdah al-sahw while the latecomer is aware of the omission, they are generally recommended to complete any missed rak'ahs and perform a prostration of forgetfulness individually. However, it's always best to consult a reliable scholar in such specific cases. Conclusion The principle of maintaining prayer validity and following the Imam's actions is central in clarifying how a latecomer (masbooq) should proceed if the Imam makes a mistake. While the situation of an extra rak'ah may seem unusual, the established rulings are designed to safeguard a Muslim's prayer and ensure its completion in accordance with Prophetic guidance.