| Silence of the Imam after reciting Al-Fatihah  | | (Part No. 11; Page No. 235) | |
Q: Our Muslim brother from the Sultanate of Oman says in his question: What is the ruling on the Imam pausing after reciting Al-Fatihah to give the Ma’mums (those being led by an Imam in Prayer) chance to recite Al-Fatihah? If the Imam does not pause after reciting Al-Fatihah, when can the Ma’mums recite it? A: There is no direct authentic evidence that shows the lawfulness of a long pause made by the Imam after reciting Al-Fatihah in a Jahri Salah (Prayer recited out loud) for the Ma’mums to recite it. As for the Ma’mums, it is prescribed for them to recite Al-Fatihah during the pauses left by the Imam, if the Imam does leave a pause. If the Imam does not leave a pause, the Ma’mums can recite it subvocally, even while the Imam is reciting, and then they should listen to the Imam’s recitation. This is according to the general meaning of the Hadith of the Prophet (peace be upon him),  “There is no Salah for those who do not recite the Opening of the Book (Al-Fatihah).” (Agreed upon by Al-Bukhari and Muslim). He (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 Ahmad, Abu Dawud, and Ibn Hibban with a sound Isnad [chain of narrators]).These two Hadiths are specification of Allah’s Saying:  So, when the Qur’ân is recited, listen to it, and be silent that you may receive mercy. | | (Part No. 11; Page No. 236) | |
Also, the Hadith of the Prophet (peace be upon him), “The Imam is appointed for you to follow him, so do not be at variance with him. When he says Takbir ('Allahu Akbar [Allah is the Greatest]'), you say the Takbir, and when he recites (the Qur’an), listen attentively.” (This Hadith is related by Muslim in his "Sahih [Book of Authentic Hadith]"). If a Ma’mum forgets to recite Al-Fatihah or does not know that it is obligatory, the obligation is removed from them, as is the case of one who arrives while the Imam is in the Ruku‘, for they bow with the Imam and their Rak‘ah (unit of Prayer) will count as sufficient. This is according to the more correct of the two opinions of the scholars, and it is also the opinion of most scholars, due to the Hadith reported by Abu Bakrah Al-Thaqafy (may Allah be pleased with him), who narrated that he went to 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 saying the Taslim (salutation of peace ending the Prayer), the Prophet (peace be upon him) said to him, “May Allah increase your eagerness (caring to join Salah). But do not repeat it again (bowing in that way).” The Prophet (peace be upon him) did not order him to make up for the Rak‘ah. (Related by Al-Bukhari in his "Sahih"). As for an Imam and a person performing Salah alone, the recitation of Al-Fatihah is a Rukn (essential pillar) of the Salah for them. According to the Jumhur (dominant majority of scholars), the obligation of the recitation of Al-Fatihah cannot be removed from them under any case, as long as they are able to recite it. |
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