What is the correct procedure for completing the prayer for one who catches only one Rak'ah of Maghrib or a four-Rak'ah prayer?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of the Prayer of Fear
Primary text
There are differing narrations regarding the position (sitting/standing) and Tashahhud for one who joins a Maghrib or four-Rak'ah prayer late, having missed all but one Rak'ah. One narration, explicitly stated by Ahmad and practiced by Jundub, dictates that upon standing for the make-up portion, the person should complete two consecutive Rak'ahs, reciting Al-Fatiha and a Surah in each. This is justified because these two Rak'ahs constitute the beginning of their prayer, thus no Tashahhud is made between them, unlike the non-latecomer. Furthermore, the make-up follows the ruling of the performance (Adaa'), which does not involve sitting between two consecutive Rak'ahs where recitation occurs in both, similar to the original performance.
Supporting text
A second narration, conveyed by Salih, Abu Dawud, and Al-Athram, states that the person completes one Rak'ah reciting Al-Fatiha and a Surah, then sits, then stands for the final Rak'ah (for Maghrib) or two consecutive Rak'ahs (for Dhuhr/Asr/Isha). In the latter case, the first of the final two has Al-Fatiha and a Surah, and the second has only Al-Fatiha. This was practiced by Masruq, affirmed by Abdullah ibn Mas'ud, and held by Sa'id ibn al-Musayyib. This view posits that the third Rak'ah (in Maghrib make-up) is the end of the prayer, necessitating a sit beforehand, similar to a non-latecomer.