| Fatwa requests about ma’mum’s recitation of Al-Fatihah behind an Imam  | | (Part No. 11; Page No. 223) | |
Q: Scholars have differed regarding a Ma’mum’s (a person being led by an Imam in Prayer) recitation behind the Imam; what is the correct opinion on this? Is the recitation of Al-Fatihah obligatory on a Ma’mum? When should they recite Al-Fatihah if the Imam does not leave pauses during which they can recite it? Is it prescribed for the Imam to leave a pause after reciting Al-Fatihah to give the Ma’mums a chance to recite Al-Fatihah? A: The correct opinion on this is that the recitation of Al-Fatihah is obligatory on the Ma’mums, in both Jahri and Sirri Salahs (Prayers recited out loud and subvocally), 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 (Surah Al-Fatihah).” 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 Imam Ahmad with a sound Isnad [chain of narrators]). It is prescribed for a Ma’mum to recite it during the pauses left by the Imam and if there are no pauses, they can recite it even while the Imam is reciting it, and then listen to the Imam’s recitation.This is an exception from the general evidence indicating the obligation of listening to the Imam’s recitation. | | (Part No. 11; Page No. 224) | |
However, if a Ma’mum forgets to recite it or does not recite it due to forgetfulness, ignorance, or the belief that it is not obligatory, there is nothing wrong on their part and the Imam’s recitation will be sufficient for them, according to the Jumhur (dominant majority of scholars). Also, if a Ma’mum joins the Salah while the Imam is in the Ruku‘ (bowing) position, they should bow with him and their Rak‘ah (unit of Prayer) will count as sufficient, and the obligation of the recitation will be removed from them, because they did not join at the time for the recitation. It was authentically reported that Abu Bakrah Al-Thaqafy (may Allah be pleased with him) 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 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]"). The Prophet’s words: "Do not do it again," mean that he (peace be upon him) ordered him not to bow before joining the row again. It is, therefore, known that it is prescribed for anyone who enters a Masjid while the Imam is in the Ruku‘, that they should not bow before joining the row. They should wait until they join the row, even if they may miss the Ruku‘. This is because the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “When the call for Salah (Prayer) is made, come to it while walking with tranquility upon you, so whatever (parts of Salah) you catch, pray; and whatever (parts) you miss, complete.” (Agreed upon by Al-Bukhari and Muslim as Sahih [a Hadith that has been transmitted by people known for their uprightness and exactitude; free from eccentricity and blemish]). As for the following Hadith: “Anyone who has (prays behind) an Imam, the recitation of the Imam counts for them as recitation,” | | (Part No. 11; Page No. 225) | |
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) which cannot be used as evidence, according to the Muslim scholars. Even if it is a Hadith Sahih, the recitation of Al-Fatihah will be an exception, in order to reconcile these Hadith.Regarding the pause left by the Imam after Al-Fatihah, nothing is authentically reported about this as far as I know, so it is an open matter that may or may not be done, In sha’a-Allah (if Allah wills). If anyone does it, there is no sin in that; and if anyone omits it, there is no sin in that either, as nothing was authentically reported about this from the Prophet (peace be upon him). As far as I know, only two pauses have been authentically reported from the Prophet (peace be upon him); the first is after saying the Takbirat-ul-Ihram (saying: "Allahu Akbar [Allah is the Greatest]" upon starting Prayer), during which the opening supplications are recited, and the second pause is left after finishing the recitation and before Ruku‘ (bowing); it is a light pause that separates between the recitation and the Takbir (saying: "Allahu Akbar") for the Ruku‘. May Allah grant us success. |
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