| A Ma'mum's recitation of Al-Fatihah behind an Imam if the pause left by the Imam is insufficient  Q: Immediately on finishing the recitation of Al-Fatihah in the Jahri Salah (Prayer recited out loud) and the Tarawih Salah (special supererogatory night Prayer in Ramadan), the Imam begins reciting the Qur’an without allowing the Ma’mum (a person being led by an Imam in Prayer) to recite Al-Fatihah, because he does not leave a sufficient pause to enable them to recite it. I read a Hadith in which the Prophet (peace be upon him) said,  “There is no Salah for those who do not recite the Opening of the Book | | (Part No. 11; Page No. 226) | |
(Surah Al-Fatihah).” And there is a Hadith that says: “The recitation of the Imam counts as recitation for those praying behind him.”How can the two Hadith be reconciled? A: Scholars differ over the obligation of reciting Al-Fatihah by a Ma’mum, but the preponderant opinion is that it is obligatory, based on the general meaning of the saying of the Prophet (peace be upon him), “There is no Salah for those who do not recite the Opening of the Book (Surah Al-Fatihah).” (Agreed upon by Al-Bukhari and Muslim) The Prophet (peace be upon him) also said, “Maybe you recite behind your Imam?” We (the Companions) said, “Yes.” He said, “Do not do so, except with the Opening of the Book (i.e. Al-Fatihah), as there is no Salah (Prayer) for those who do not recite it.” (Related by Abu Dawud and others with a sound Isnad [chain of narrators]) If the Imam does not leave a pause in the Jahri Salah, a Ma’mum has to recite Al-Fatihah, even if it is while the Imam is reciting the Qur’an, and then they should listen to the Imam’s recitation, to act upon the two Hadith mentioned above. If a Ma’mum forgets to recite it or does not know that it is obligatory, the obligation is removed from them, like the case of one who joins the Salah while the Imam is in the Ruku‘ (bowing) position. They will have to bow with the Imam and their Rak‘ah (unit of Prayer) will count as sufficient, according to the more correct of the two opinions maintained by the scholars. This is also the opinion of most scholars based on the Hadith narrated by Abu Bakrah Al-Thaqafy (may Allah be pleased with him) who arrived at the Masjid (mosque) while the Prophet (peace be upon him) was in the Ruku‘, so he bowed before joining the row. He then joined the row. After finishing the Salah, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said to him, May Allah increase your eagerness (caring to join Salah). But do not | | (Part No. 11; Page No. 227) | |
repeat it again (bowing in that way).'” The Prophet (peace be upon him) did not order him to make up for the Rak‘ah (unit of Prayer). (Related by Al-Bukhari in his "Sahih [Book of Authentic Hadith]") As for the Hadith: “The recitation of the Imam counts as recitation for those praying behind him.” it is a Hadith Da‘if (a Hadith that fails to reach the status of Hasan, due to a weakness in the chain of narration or one of the narrators) that can not be used as evidence, as we are informed by the Hadith scholars. Even if it is a Hadith Sahih (a Hadith that has been transmitted by people known for their uprightness and exactitude; free from eccentricity and blemish), it will be regarded as a general rule that specifically excludes the recitation of Al-Fatihah. May Allah grant us success. |
|
|