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EPISODE 1️⃣: Reciting Sūrah Al-Fātihah Behind the Imām in Prayer: Sālih Al-Fawzān and Al-Albānee
Shaikh Al-Fawzan (حفظه الله) stated:
The Majority of the scholars hold the position that the recital of Sūrah Al-Fātihah is obligatory, and that the one who does not recite it, then his prayer is invalid, due to the saying of the Prophet (ﷺ):
“There is no prayer for the one who does not recite the opening Sūrah of the Book.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari 756; Sahih Muslim 394)
This refers to the one who is able to recite it. As for the one who is unable to recite it or unable to memorise it, then it is upon him to recite what is easy for him from the verses of the Qur’an other than Al-Fātihah. If he does not have anything of the Qur’an memorised, then he merely performs Dhikr (remembrances of Allaah) such as: subhānallāh, wal-hamdulillāh, wa lā ilāha illallāh, wallāhu akbar, wa lā hawla wa lā quwwata illā billāh.
This is due to the saying of the Messenger (ﷺ): “When you stand for the prayer say, Allāhu Akbar. If you have something of the Qur’an memorised, recite it, otherwise you should praise Allaah (Al-hamdulillāh), declare His greatness (Allāhu Akbar) and His sole right of worship (Lā ilāha illallāh), then you should bow . . .”
(Sunan Abi Dawood 861; Jami` at-Tirmidhi 302)
The majority of the scholars hold that the recital of Suratul-Fātihah is obligatory upon the Imām leading the prayer and when one prays on his own. As for the one who is praying behind the Imām, then the scholars have differed regarding that into three viewpoints:
The First Viewpoint:
The recital of Al-Fātihah is obligatory upon everyone who prays including the Imām and the one one following him in prayer. This is due to the saying of the Messenger (ﷺ): “There is no prayer for the one who does not recite the Opening Sūrah of the Book.” So this is general for everyone performing the Salāh.
And the saying of the Messenger (ﷺ): “Perhaps you recite behind your Imām?” They responded: “Yes, O Messenger of Allaah.” So he (ﷺ) said: “Do not do that, except for the Opening Sūrah of the Book, for indeed there is no prayer for the one who does not recite it.”
(From ‘Ubādah Ibn Sāmit, reported by Sunan Abi Dawood 824; Sunan an-Nasa’i 919)
This is the position of Imām Ash-Shāfi’ee, and a group of the scholars of hadeeth such as Imām al-Bukhari and others. They held its recital to be obligatory upon the Imām leading the prayer, the one who prays behind him, and the one who prays alone.
To Be Continued, In’Sha’Allaah…
May Allaah (ﷻ) grant us mercy, preserve us upon goodness and guide us through the straight path.
آمِيْن يَارَبَّ الْعَالَمِينْ
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🕋 ISLAM GENERATION DA’WAH GROUP
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