by Asma bint Shameem
❓ QUESTION❓
Should I read Surah al-Faatihah when I’m praying in congregation behind the Imaam❓
🌿 ANSWER🌿
Reading al-Faatihah is a MUST in every salaah.
There’s no prayer that’s valid without it.
🍃 The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
“There is no prayer for the one who does not recite the Opening of the Book [i.e., al-Faatihah].” (al-Bukhaari)
So when we’re praying individually or when praying behind an Imaam in a silent prayer (Dhuhr and Asr), we must read Surah al-Faatihah on our own as well.
However there’s a difference of opinion among the scholars about reading al-Faatihah when praying behind the Imaam in a LOUD prayer (Fajr, Maghrib and Ishaa).
But the stronger opinion is that we must read Surah al-Faatihah on our own even if we’re praying behind an Imaam in a prayer that’s read aloud.
There’s a very clear hadeeth of the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam regarding this matter:
🍃 Ubaadah ibn as-Saamit radhi Allaahu anhu said:
“We were behind the Messenger of Allaah Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam in Fajr prayer.
The Messenger of Allaah Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam recited, and he found it difficult to recite (due to interference).
When he finished praying he said: “Perhaps you were reciting behind your Imaam?”
We said:
“Yes, O Messenger of Allaah.”
He said:
“Do not do that, apart from the Opening of the Book (al-Faatihah), because there is no prayer for the one who does not recite it.”
(al-Bayhaqi, al-Tirmidhi: authenticated by al-Albaani in Asl Sifat as-Salaah 1/327)
This clearly shows that if you’re praying behind an Imaam, YOU should ALSO recite al-Faatihah along with him moving your lips and tongue, but QUIETLY so that no one else can hear you and get disturbed.
🔺 Someone asked Shaykh ibn Uthaymeen about this issue.
He said:
“...He should recite al-Faatihah when the Imaam is still reciting, because the Sahaabah used to recite al-Faatihah with the Messenger Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam
and he said: “Do not do that except with the Essence of the Book (al-Faatihah), because there is no prayer for the one who does not recite it.”
(Fataawa Arkaan al-Islam, p. 322)
🍃 Shaikh Ibn ul-‘Uthaymeen also said:
“In regards to the one behind the Imaam, then he recites Surah al-Faatihah even if the Imaam is reciting according to the opinion we choose due to the general statement of the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa Sallam:
“He who does not recite Umm al-Qur’aan is not credited with having observed prayer.”
(Saheeh Muslim 394)
And this Hadeeth is established in the Saheehayn and other than it.
And in the Hadeeth of Ubaadah ibn Saamit in the Sunan that the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa Sallam became mixed up in the fajr prayer.
After finishing he said:
“I think that you are reciting behind your Imaam?’”
He said: “We said: ‘Yes, Messenger of Allaah, by Allaah!’
He said: ‘Do not do that, except for Umm Al-Kitaab, for there is no Salaah for one who does not recite it.”
And this is apparent for the one who is behind the Imaam to recite even in the LOUD prayers because that was the fajr prayer and it is a loud prayer.
So this Hadeeth is clear that he recites even if the Imaam recites and the generality of the above-mentioned Hadeeth is evidence which we indicated.”
(Noor ‘ala Darb 2/8)
🔺 What about the Aayah in the Qur’aan where Allaah tells us to keep quiet whenever the Qur’aan is being recited❓
Yes there’s an Aayah where Allaah says:
“So, when the Qur’aan is recited, listen to it, and BE SILENT that you may receive mercy” (Surah al-A‘raaf :204)
However, the ulama explain that Aayah is GENERAL in meaning, and that this applies at all times when praying behind the Imaam, and we should be quiet and LISTEN to the Qur’aan EXCEPT when reading al-Faatihah in prayer.
That’s because the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam
VERY SPECIFICALLY told the Sahaabah:
“Do not do that, apart from the Opening of the Book (al-Faatihah), because there is no prayer for the one who does not recite it.”
🔺What about the following hadeeth❓
“The recitation of the Imaam is the recitation of the one who is praying behind him”
Many of the scholars said that this is a WEAK hadeeth.
So we should read al-Faatihah behind the Imaam but keep quiet and listen to the REST of his recitation in the ‘loud’ prayers according to the stronger scholarly opinion.
As for the ‘quiet’ prayers, you should read al-Faatihah as well as your own Surah and the rest of the prayer by yourself.
🍃 The scholars of the Standing Committee said:
“The correct scholarly opinion is that it is OBLIGATORY to recite al-Faatihah when praying alone and it is obligatory upon the Imaam AND those whom he is leading both in prayers where Qur’aan is to be recited out loud and when it is to be recited silently, because of the soundness and specific nature of the texts which indicate that.”
🔺”When” to read Surah al-Faatihah, when praying behind the Imaam in a loud prayer?
Some scholars said we should read Surah al-Faatihah after the Imaam finishes reading Surah al-Faatihah.
Some said to read it along with the Imaam.
And some said to read Aayah by Aayah as the Imaam reads each Aayah.
Either way the salaah would be valid.
🍃 Shaikh ibn Baaz said:
“The correct position is that it is obligatory for the followers to recite the Faatihah in all of their prayers, whether it is a silent prayer or a prayer said aloud.
This is based upon the generality of the Prophet’s ﷺ statement:
“There is no prayer for whoever does not recite the Faatihah of the Book.” (Al-Bukhaari and Muslim)
This hadeeth is agreed upon as being authentic.
Also due to the Prophet’s statement:
“Do you all recite behind your Imaam?”
We (the companions) replied, “Yes.” Then he Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa Sallam said,
“Do not do that except with the Faatihah of the Book. For verily there is no Salaah for the one who does not recite it.”
This was reported by Imaam Ahmad with a Saheeh chain of narration.
The legislation concerning this is that one recites it (Al-Faatihah) during the time when the Imaam is silent (after reading Surah al-Faatihah).
And if the Imaam does not observe a (period of) silence, then the person should recite even if the Imaam is reciting, then (after al-Faatihah) he should listen (to the Imaam’s recital).
This exception is due to the general evidences which show that it is obligatory to listen attentively to the recital of the Imaam.
However, if the person being led forgets the Faatihah, or he leaves it out due to ignorance, or he believes it to be non-obligatory, then there is no sin upon him.
Concerning the hadeeth:
“Whoever has an Imaam, then the Imaam’s recitation is his recitation.”
This is a weak hadeeth and the people of knowledge do not use it as a proof.
Also, even if this hadeeth was authentic, verily the Faatihah is an exception from that, in combining the understanding of the two hadeeths.
Concerning the act of pausing for silence after the Faatihah, there is nothing authentic narrated concerning it, as far as I know.
Yet, this a broad issue, if Allaah wills.
Thus, whoever does this (pauses after the Faatihah) then there is no problem with that, and whoever does not pause, there is also no problem with that as well.
Nothing has been confirmed from the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa Sallam concerning this matter, as far as I know.
There are only two periods of silence confirmed as being observed by the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa Sallam.
One of them is after the opening Takbeer, in which it is legislated that one says the supplications to begin the prayer.
The second silence is after one completes the recitation and before he bows.
This is a short period of silence that separates the recital and the Takbeer. And Allaah is the Giver of success.”
(Fataawaa Muhimmah Tata’allaqu bis-Salaah, pg.59-61, Question 38)
And Allaah knows best
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