When is it permissible for the one being led in prayer to recite Surat Al-Fatihah and a short surah in a loud prayer, alongside the Imam’s recitation of them? And when should he recite Al-Fatihah only, or with a short surah, if he joins the prayer in the third rak’ah of Asr prayer? And what should he recite in the remaining two rak’ahs after the Imam’s taslim? And how should he act if he does not know which rak’ah he joined?

The worshipper must listen attentively to the Imam's recitation, for the Imam's recitation is a recitation for the worshipper. As for Al-Fatihah, the preponderant opinion is that its recitation is obligatory upon the worshipper in both audible and silent prayers, to be recited during the Imam's pauses or alongside him. If the worshipper joins while the Imam is in the third rak'ah of a four-rak'ah prayer, he should not recite a surah after Al-Fatihah, based on the view that surah recitation is specific to the first two rak'ahs. In the event that the worshipper does not know which rak'ah he has joined, he should recite Al-Fatihah and listen attentively to the surah.