Makmum Muafiq and Masbuq

Makmum Muafiq is a follower during a congregational prayer who joins from the beginning and manages to completely recite Al-Fatihah. But if one joins the congregation only after it has started and does not have time to complete Al-Fatihah then he is called Makmum Masbuq.

It is obligatory for a makmum muafiq to complete Al-Fatihah even though he is late in reciting it. He cannot continue to ruku’ until he has completed reciting the surah.

A makmum masbuq however is not allowed to recite du’a iftitah or ta`auwuz once he has said the takbiratul-ihram and recite Al-Fatihah straight away. Once the imam has bowed to ruku’, the makmum follows even though he has not completed his Al-Fatihah.

If a makmum joins the prayer when the imam is bowing, then he should recite takbiratul-ihram and ruku’. If he only manages to recite “Subhanallah…” before the imam stands, it is considered he manage to complete the rakaah. If he is unable to follow the imam in ruku` position, then he would have to make up that rakaah on his own after the imam recites the salam.