WHEN SHALL A MUQTADEE RECITE THE CHAPTER OF AL-FATIHA IN THE LEAD OF AN IMAM?
By Allama ‘Abdul ‘Aziz Bin Abdullah Bin Baz
Question: There are different of opinions of ‘Ulama in connection with recitation in the lead of an Imam. What is correct in this regard? Also is it incumbent upon a Muqtadee to recite the chapter of Al-Fatiha? Further, when shall a Muqtadee recite the chapter Al-Fatiha, if the Imam does not care to pause in silence during his recitation? Moreover, is it a requirement of Shariah, from an Islam, to pause in silence often reciting the chapter of Al-Fatiha so that the Muqtadees present there may recite the chapter of Al-Fatiha?
ANSWER: The correct position is such that recitation of the chapter of Al-Fatiha is in-cumbent upon all Maqtadees in each and every Salat, whether it is a secret (Sirri) or an announced (Jihri) Salat; because, there is a popular Hadith of the Holy Prophet (may blessing and peace of Allah be upon him); “The prayer is not valid if one does not recite Surah Al-Fatiha”.
And that Hadith in which he enquired from the companions and said: “Perhaps you recite behind your Imam? We replied: “Yes, it is so, Apostle of Allah. He said: Do not do so except when it is Fatihatul-Kitab for he who does not recite it is not credited with having prayed”. (Musnad Ahmad)
The requirement of Shariah is such that the Muqtadee will recite the chapter of Al-Fatiha during the pauses interpersets in the recitation of the Imam. If proper care for a pause is not taken (by Imam) in the recitation of Imam, then, he should do this chapter during the recitation of Imam and, thereafter, he should remain silent.
Now, there remain those arguments of remaining silent at the time of the recitation of the Imam. So, it be noted in connection with these testimonies that the chapter of Al-Fatiha is exempt from their general applicability. But a Muqtdee ignores or due to lack of knowledge or due to wrong understanding, then, it is not incumbent, then, according to majority of ‘ulama, mere recitation will be enough for him and his Salam will be deem as correct and proper.
Similarly, if a person accedes to the congregation in the posture of Rukoo; this rakaat will be deemed as complete for him and the incumbency of the recitation of the chapter of Al-Fatiha will get lapsed for him, because, he could not get any time for the recitation, as it is proven by the Hadith of Abu Bakrah Thaqfi (may Allah be happy with him) that once upon a time, the Holy Prophet (may blessing and peace of Allah be upon him) was in the posture of Rukoo, and meanwhile he reached there. He ran in the posture of Rukoo, before acceding to the row of the congregation and, therefore, he joined the row. The Holy Prophet (may blessing and peace of Allah be upon him) advised him, after completing the Salat at Salam; “May Allah increase your eagerness! But do not do it again”. (Saheeh Bukhari)
In this case, the Holy Prophet (may blessing and peace of Allah be upon him) admorished him for running into Rukoo’ before joining the row of the congregation, but, he did not ask him to fulfill to observe Qadha of that Rakaa’t.
It also become known from the above mentioned report that whenever a person enters in a mosque and finds the Imam in the posture of Rukoo’, he should not run into Rukoo’ before joining the row, Instead, he should join the row calmly and patiently even if that Rakaat lapses for him, because, it is commanded by the Holy Prophet (may blessing and peace of Allah be upon him): “When the Iqamah is pronounced for prayer, do come to it running, but come walking (slowly). You should observe tranquility. The part of the prayer you get (along with the Imam) after it, and the part you miss complete it (afterwards)” (Saheeh Mukhari & Saheeh Muslim)
So far as this Hadith is concerned that “Whoever has got an imam, the recitation of Imam will become his recitation; this Hadith is weak and unacceptable as a valid proof in view of knowledgable people. Moreover, ever if is taken as a sound Hadith, the recitation of the chapter of Al-Fatiha will be exempt from its import, so that all Hadith on this issue get reconciled.
Now, there is the issue of Imam’s silence for Muqtadee’s after reciting the chapter of Al-Fatiha. So, according to my knowledge, there occurs no Hadith in this connection. All praises to Allah in that the issue has got expense i.e flexibility). There is no trouble in either case pausing or not pausing in silence. According to my knowledge, nothing is proven from the Tradition of the Holy Prophet (may blessing and peace of Allah be upon him) in this connection. Albeit two pauses are proven from the tradition of the Holy Prophet (may blessing and peace of Allah be upon him). One after Takbeer-e-Tahreemah when prayer of thana’ (adjulation) is recited and the other after getting free from recitation and just before going to Rukoo; and this one is a slight pause which is meant for separation between the recitation and the takbeer. However, Allah is the supporter of the adaptation.