Reference: Majmoo’ Fataawa wa Rasaa.il Muhammad ibn Saalih al-‘Uthaymeen – Volume 13, Fatwa No.359
Question: Is it permissible to hasten to catch the rak’ah with the imaam in the congregational prayer? Provide us with a fatwa, and may Allaah protect and preserve you.
Response: If you entered [the place of prayer] and the imaam is bowing, then do not hasten and join the prayer until you reach the first [available] row [whilst the preceding rows are all complete]; This is because the Prophet ﷺ said to Abee Bakrah (radhi-yAllaahu ‘anhu) when he did that:
«May Allaah increase you in your keenness [to catch the rak’ah], but do not repeat [this action of hastening]», [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree, Hadeeth No.783]
