Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
If one catches the last tashahud w/ the imam is it considered jama with its full reward ? or would it be better in this case to wait for the latter jamah, or pray at home w/ one’s spouse?
Answer:
Walaikum assalam,
One is considered to have prayed in congregation is one catches any part of the imam’s prayer before the first closing salam. However, full reward is only achieved if one catches the opening takbir (=Allahu Akbar) with the imam. The later one joins, the less one’s reward is.
Reward, of course, is primarily significant because it indicates the degree of Allah’s good pleasure and acceptance of an action.
And Allah knows best.
Wassalam,
Faraz Rabbani.