Whether the prayer is loud (with loud recitation) or silent (with soft recitation), it is obligatory for both the follower and the Imam to recite Surah Al-Fatiha, without which the prayer is not valid. Below are 16 evidences based on authentic Ahadith from the Prophet ﷺ.
Prophetic Ahadith ﷺ
Hadith Number 1
Narrated by Ubada bin As-Samit (RA)
عن عبادة بن الصامت رضى الله عنه ان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال ”لا صلاة لمن لم يقرأ بفاتحة الكتاب.“
It is narrated from Ubada bin As-Samit (RA) that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “The prayer of the person who does not recite Surah Al-Fatiha is not valid.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 756)
This hadith is narrated in addition to Bukhari
and is narrated in other books as well.
And Imam Bukhari, may Allah have mercy on him, has said about this hadith that it is mutawatir
. This hadith is clear in its meaning that no prayer is valid without Surah Al-Fatiha. Imam Bukhari established a chapter on this hadith in his Sahih as follows:
”باب وجوب القراءة للامام والمأموم فى الصلوات كلها فى الحضر والسفر يجهر فيها ويخافت“
That is, this chapter is about the statement that recitation, meaning the reading of Surah Al-Fatiha, is obligatory for every person praying, whether an Imam or a follower, whether traveling or resident, whether the recitation in prayer is aloud or silent.
Imam Ibn Abdul Barr ”التمهيد“
says:
”لم يخصص اماما من مأموم ولا منفرد“
That is, this hadith is general; it does not specify the Imam or the follower or the individual praying alone, but the ruling applies to all.
Al-Karmani
states:
”وفيه دليل على ان قراءة الفاتحة واجبة على الامام والمأموم والمنفرد فى الصلوات كلها“
That is, this hadith is evidence that in all prayers, whether one is an Imam, a follower, or praying alone, reciting Surah Al-Fatiha is obligatory.
Similarly, Qastalani in Sharh al-Bukhari also mentions this.
Hadith Number 2
Narrated by Abu Huraira, may Allah be pleased with him
عن ابي هريره رضى الله عنه عن النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: ”من صلى صلاة لم يقرأ فيها بأم القرآن فهي خداج ثلاثا غير تمام.“ فقيل لابي هريره انا نگون وراء الامام فقال اقرأ بها فى نفسك فاني سمعت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول قال الله تعاليٰ: ”قسمت الصلاة بيني وبين عبدي نصفين ولعبدي ما سأل فاذا قال العبد ﴿ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ﴾ قال الله تعالىٰ حمدني عبدي واذا قال ﴿ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ﴾ قال الله تعالىٰ اثني على عبدي فاذا قال ﴿ مَالِكِ يَوْمِ الدِّينِ﴾ قال الله تعالىٰ مجدني عبدي وقال مرة فوض الي عبدي فاذا قال ﴿إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ ﴾ قال الله تعالىٰ هذا بيني وبين عبدي ولعبدي ما سأل فاذا قال ﴿اهْدِنَا الصِّرَاطَ الْمُسْتَقِيمَ ﴿٦﴾ صِرَاطَ الَّذِينَ أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيْهِمْ غَيْرِ الْمَغْضُوبِ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا الضَّالِّينَ ﴾ قال الله تعالىٰ هذا لعبدي ولعبدي ما سأل.“
Narrated Abu Huraira رضي الله عنه that the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “If a person prays and does not recite Surah Al-Fatiha in it, then his prayer is incomplete.” He said three times that it is incomplete. Abu Huraira رضي الله عنه was asked, “We are behind the Imam (then what should we do)?” He said: Then recite it slowly in your heart because I heard the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم say that Allah Almighty says: I have divided the prayer between Me and My servant into two parts, and for My servant is what he has asked for. When the servant says ”الحمد لله رب العالمين“, Allah Almighty says: My servant has praised Me. And when the servant says ”الرحمن الرحيم“, Allah Almighty says: My servant has glorified Me. And when the servant says ”مالك يوم الدين“, Allah Almighty says: My servant has declared My greatness and entrusted his affairs to Me. And when the servant says ”اياك نعبد واياك نستعين“, Allah Almighty says: This is between Me and My servant, and for My servant is what he has asked for. And when the servant says ”اهدنا الصراط المستقيم صراط الذين انعمت عليهم غير المغضوب عليهم ولا الضالين“, Allah Almighty says: This part is for My servant, and for the servant is what he has asked for.
(Sahih Muslim, Narrated by Abdul Baqi: 395, Included Narration: 878 with An-Nawawi)
This hadith is also narrated in books such as
.
From this, the issue has become quite clear and there are a few points worthy of consideration.
(a) Prayer is incomplete without Surah Al-Fatiha, and we are commanded to pray the prayer completely, so how can an incomplete prayer be accepted? Therefore, reciting Surah Al-Fatiha in every unit (rak’ah) is obligatory.
(b) The prayer in which Surah Al-Fatiha is not recited is called Khadaaj, and Khadaaj refers to the unripe fetus that a she-camel drops before its time. As mentioned in common dictionaries, for example:
لسان العرب، القاموس، تاج العروس، المصباح، المنبر، اقرب الموارد، اساس البلاغه للزمخشري، وغيره من كتب اللغه.
So the prayer without Surah Al-Fatiha is likened to such a worthless thing and is named Khadaaj, so how can that prayer be considered correct?
Hafiz Ibn Abdul Barr writes in ”الاستذكار شرح موطا“
:
”وفي حديث ابي هريره هذا من الفقه ايجاب قراءة فاتحة الكتاب فى كل صلاة وان الصلاة اذا لم يقرأ فيها فاتحة الكتاب فهي خداج وان قرئ فيها بغيرها من القرآن والخداج النقصان والفساد من قولهم اخدجت الناقة وخدجت اذا ولدت قبل تمام وقتها (وقبل تمام الخلق وذلك نتاج فاسد… وقد زعم من لم يوجب قراءة فاتحة الكتاب فى الصلاة وقال هي وغيرها سواء وان قوله خداج يدل على جواز الصلاة لانه نقصان والصلاة الناقصة جائزة وهذا تحكم فاسد والنظر يوجب فى النقصان الا تجوز معه الصلاة لانها صلاة لم تتم ومن خرج من صلاة قبل ان يتمها فعليه اعادتها تامة كما امر على حسب حكمها ومن ادعٰي انها تجوز مع اقراره بنقصها فعليه الدليل ولا سبيل اليه من وجه يلزم والله اعلم).“
Meaning, from the hadith narrated by Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him), a jurisprudential ruling emerges that reciting Surah Al-Fatiha in every prayer is obligatory, and the prayer in which Surah Al-Fatiha is not recited is incomplete and invalid, no matter how much of the Qur’an is recited besides Surah Al-Fatiha. And this is the meaning of Khadaaj, as they say ”اخدجت الناقة“ meaning the she-camel dropped the unripe fetus before the full term. And the opinion of those who say that an incomplete prayer will still be valid despite being incomplete is wrong. This is an incorrect and invalid ruling because according to research, in the case of deficiency, the prayer will not be complete, and how can a prayer that is not complete be valid? And if a person leaves the prayer before completing it, it is obligatory upon him to pray the complete prayer again as he has been commanded. Whoever admits that the prayer without Al-Fatiha is incomplete but still claims that such a prayer is valid must provide evidence, without which there is no other way.
(c) The words in this hadith are:
”من صلى صلاة الخ“
Meaning whoever prays any prayer, and in another hadith it is said:
”كل صلاة لا يقرأ فيها بام الكتاب فهي خداج“
Meaning every prayer in which Surah Al-Fatiha is not recited is incomplete and deficient. And this is the general ruling for every worshipper, whether imam, follower, or praying alone, whether the prayer is audible or silent, no prayer will be complete without Surah Al-Fatiha or it will remain incomplete, although we are commanded to pray the complete prayer.
(d) The narrator of the hadith, Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him), also understood this meaning. When he was asked about praying behind an imam, he replied that Surah Al-Fatiha should be recited slowly, which proves that in this hadith everyone is commanded to recite Surah Al-Fatiha because الراوي ادري بمرويته meaning the narrator knows the meaning of his narration better.
(e) In fact, Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) presented another hadith as evidence regarding this, in which Surah Al-Fatiha itself is called prayer. This hadith mentions the division of prayer and the division of Surah Al-Fatiha, which clearly shows that Surah Al-Fatiha itself is prayer, and without it, the prayer will not be valid.
(f) Also, those who prevent the follower from reciting Surah Al-Fatiha should consider what remains between him and his Lord to be shared? Rather, he will be deprived of such supplication, prayer, and response from his Lord. Therefore, Surah Al-Fatiha is necessary for every worshipper.
Hadith Number 3
Narrated by Ubada bin As-Samit (RA)
عن عبادة بن الصامت رضى الله عنه قال كنا خلف النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم فى صلاة الفجر فثقلت عليه القراءة فلما فرغ قال: ”لعلكم تقرؤون خلف امامكم؟“ قلنا نعم يا رسول الله! قال: ”لا تفعلوا الا بفاتحة الكتاب فانه لا صلاة لمن لم يقرأ بها.“ رواه ابو داؤد والترمذي والنسائي معناه وفي رواية لابي داؤد قال: ”وانا اقول مالي ينازع القرآن فلا تقرؤوا بشئ من القرآن اذا جهرت الا بام القرآن.“
It is narrated from Ubada bin As-Samit (RA) that we were praying Fajr prayer behind the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), then recitation became heavy and difficult for him (ﷺ). When he (ﷺ) finished the prayer, he said: “Perhaps you recite the Qur’an behind your Imam?” We said: Yes, O Messenger of Allah (ﷺ)! He said: “Do not do that except for Surah Al-Fatiha, for whoever does not recite Surah Al-Fatiha, his prayer is incomplete.” And in a narration of Abu Dawood, the Prophet (ﷺ) said: “I was also saying, what is happening? The Qur’an is disputing with me. So when I lead the prayer aloud, do not recite anything except Surah Al-Fatiha.”
Authenticity of the Hadith:
Imam Tirmidhi has classified this hadith as Hasan
. Imam Khattabi
states:
”هذا الحديث نص بان قراءة فاتحة الكتاب على من صلى خلف الامام سواء جهر الامام بالقراءة او خافت بها. واسناده جيد لا طعن فيه.“
Meaning, this hadith clearly and explicitly states that it is obligatory for the follower to recite Surah Al-Fatiha behind the Imam, whether the prayer is audible or silent. The chain of this hadith is excellent and there is no criticism on it.
And Hafiz Ibn Hajar ”الدراية فى تخريج احاديث الهداية“
says:
”واخرجه ابو داؤد باسناد رجاله ثقات.“
Meaning, the hadith is in Abu Dawood and its narrators are trustworthy.
Also, ”التلخيص“
states: Abu Dawood, Tirmidhi, Darqutni, Ibn Hibban, Hakim, and Bayhaqi all have declared it authentic. Allama Abdul Hay Lakhnawi Hanafi ”السعاية شرح شرح الوقايه“
writes:
”وقد ثبت بحديث عبادة وهو حديث صحيح قوي السند امره بقراءة الفاتحة للمقتدي.“
Meaning, the hadith of Ubada bin As-Samit (may Allah be pleased with him) is established and authentic, and its chain is strong. From this, it is proven that the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, commanded the follower and the Imam to recite Surah Al-Fatiha.
Objection:
An objection is raised against this hadith that Muhammad bin Ishaq is a narrator in its chain of transmission, and he has been criticized. However, this objection is incorrect because Imam Muhammad bin Ishaq is a well-known trustworthy narrator. Even the Hanafi scholars consider him trustworthy.
The famous Hanafi scholar Imam Ibn al-Hummam”فتح القدیر شرح الہدایہ“
writes:
”امام ابن اسحاق فثقة ثقة لا شبهة عندنا فى ذلك ولا عند محققي المحدثين.“
Meaning, Imam Ibn Ishaq is trustworthy, and neither we nor the researchers of hadith have any doubt about him.
In ”شرح منيه المصلي“ it is stated: ”والحق فى ابن اسحاق التوثيق.“ meaning Ibn Ishaq’s trustworthiness is a fact.
And Allama Lakhnawi”السعاية“
says: “ان المرجح فى ابن اسحاق التوثيق.“” meaning according to the stronger opinion, Ibn Ishaq is trustworthy. And Allama Salamullah Hanafi writes in the commentary of Muwatta that the truth is that Ibn Ishaq is trustworthy, so there is no doubt about the authenticity of his hadith. Moreover, Ibn Ishaq is not alone; Zaid bin Waqid is also a narrator of this hadith, whose narration is recorded in
, etc.
In short, this hadith is authentic and clear in its meaning that the follower must recite Surah Al-Fatiha behind the Imam because the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, specifically told the follower: “Whoever does not recite Surah Al-Fatiha, his prayer will not be accepted.” And the prayer was Fajr, in which the recitation is aloud. Also, the Prophet’s statement, “When I recite aloud, do not recite anything behind me except Surah Al-Fatiha,” indicates that in aloud prayer it is forbidden to recite any other surah besides Surah Al-Fatiha, not that reciting Surah Al-Fatiha is forbidden; rather, it is obligatory to recite it. After hearing this hadith, no Muslim will be negligent in reciting Surah Al-Fatiha behind the Imam.
Hadith Number 4
Narrated by Muhammad bin Abi Aisha
عن محمد بن ابي عائشة عن رجل من اصحاب النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم قال قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ”لعلكم تقرؤون والامام يقرأ؟“ مرتين او ثلاثا، قالوا: يا رسول الله! انا لنفعل، قال: ”فلا تفعلوا الا ان يقرأ احدكم بفاتحة الكتاب.“
A companion, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said: “Do you perhaps recite behind the Imam when the Imam is reciting?” He said this two or three times. The companions, may Allah be pleased with them, said: Yes, O Messenger of Allah! He, peace be upon him, said: “Do not do that; rather, each one of you should recite only Surah Al-Fatiha.”
This hadith is also narrated in
and
. Imam Bayhaqi states:
”هذا حديث صحيح احتج به محمد بن اسحاق بن خزيمة رحمه الله فى جملة ما احتج فى الباب.“
Meaning, this hadith is authentic and Imam Ibn Khuzaymah has taken evidence from it that in this hadith too, the follower is commanded to recite Surah Al-Fatiha.
Hadith Number 5
Narrated by Anas, may Allah be pleased with him
عن انس رضى الله عنه ان النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم صلى باصحابه فلما قضٰي صلاته اقبل عليهم بوجهه فقال: ”اتقرؤون فى صلاتكم والامام يقرأ؟“ فسكتوا فقال ثلاث مرات، فقال قائل او قائلون انا لنفعل، قال: ”لا تفعلوا وليقرأ احدكم بفاتحة الكتاب فى نفسه.“
It is narrated from Anas, may Allah be pleased with him, that the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, led the companions in prayer. When he finished the prayer, he turned towards them and said: “Do you recite behind the Imam while the Imam is reciting?” They all remained silent. He said this three times. Then they said: We do so. The Prophet, peace be upon him, said: “Do not do so, and each one of you should only recite Surah Al-Fatiha in his heart.”
This hadith is also in
. Ibn Hibban has declared this hadith authentic. And Allama Noor al-Din Bayhami
cites this hadith and states:
”رواه ابو يعليٰ موصلي والطبراني فى الاوسط ورجاله ثقات.“
Meaning, this hadith is also narrated in
and
, and all the narrators in its chain are trustworthy.
This hadith also commands the followers to recite Surah Al-Fatiha behind the Imam.
Hadith Number 6
Narrated by Abdullah bin Amr bin Al-As, may Allah be pleased with them both
عن عمرو بن شعيب عن ابيه عن جده قال قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ”اتقرء ون خلفي؟“ قالوا: نعم لنهذه هذا، قال: ”لا تفعلوا الا بام القرآن.“
Amr bin Shu’aib narrates from his father, who narrates from his grandfather Abdullah bin Amr bin Al-As, may Allah be pleased with them both, that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “Do you recite behind me (in prayer)?” We said: Yes, we recite quickly. He, peace be upon him, said: “Do not do so except with Surah Al-Fatiha.”
This hadith is also in
. From this hadith it is also clear that the follower (Muqtadi) is commanded to recite Surah Al-Fatiha, and the prohibition is only regarding reciting any other Surah of the Quran (besides Al-Fatiha).
Hadith Number 7
Narrated by the people of the desert
عن رجل من اهل الباديه عن ابيه وكان ابوه اسيرا عند رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال لاصحابه: ”تقرؤون خلفي القرآن؟“ فقالوا: يا رسول الله! نهذه هذا، قال: ”لا تقرؤوا الا بفاتحة الكتاب.“
An Arab narrated from his father (who was brought as a captive to the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, and later embraced Islam) that he heard the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, saying to the companions, may Allah be pleased with them: “Do you recite the Quran behind me?” They said: We recite quickly. He said: “Do not recite anything other than Surah Al-Fatiha.”
Hadith Number 8
Narrated by Ubada bin As-Samit, may Allah be pleased with him
From Ubada bin As-Samit, may Allah be pleased with him, that the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said:
”من صلى خلف الامام فليقرأ بفاتحة الكتاب.“
It is narrated from Ubada bin As-Samit, may Allah be pleased with him, that the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said: “Whoever prays behind the Imam must recite Surah Al-Fatiha.”
Authenticity of the Hadith:
Imam Suyuti has classified this hadith as ”الجامع الصغير“
Hasan (good), and Allama Bayhaqi states ”مجمع الزوائد“
: “Its narrators are trustworthy,” meaning all its narrators are reliable. Allama Alqami has also considered this hadith Hasan in ”شرح الجامع الصغير“. This hadith clearly commands reciting Surah Al-Fatiha behind the Imam.
Hadith Number 9
Narrated by Mehran, may Allah be pleased with him
عن عبد الرحمن بن سوار قال كنت عند عمرو بن ميمون بن مهران فقال له رجل من اهل الكوفه يا ابا عبد الله بلغني انك تقول من لم يقرأ خلف الامام بام القرآن فصلا ته خداج، قال عمرو صدق حدثني ابي ميمون بن مهران عن ابيه مهران رضى الله عنه عن النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم انه قال: ”من لم يقرأ بام الكتاب خلف الامام فصلا ته خداج.“
It is narrated from Abdur Rahman bin Sawar that I was sitting with Amr bin Maymun bin Mehran. A man from Kufa said: O Abu Abdullah! I have heard that you say whoever does not recite Surah Al-Fatiha behind the Imam, his prayer is incomplete. Amr bin Maymun said: This is true. My father Maymun narrated to me, he narrated from his father Mehran, may Allah be pleased with him, who narrated from the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, that he said: “Whoever does not recite Surah Al-Fatiha behind the Imam, his prayer is incomplete.”
Hadith Number 10
Narrated by Ubada bin Samit, may Allah be pleased with him
عن عبادة بن الصامت رضى الله عنه قال قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ”لا صلاة لمن لم يقرأ بفاتحة الكتاب خلف الامام.“ قال ابو الطيب قلت لمحمد بن سليمان خلف الامام؟ قال: خلف الامام، وهذا اسناد صحيح والزيادة التى فيه كالزيادة التى فى حديث مكحول وغيره فهي عن عبادة بن الصامت رضى الله عنه صحيحة مشهورة من اوجه كثيرة وعبادة بن الصامت رضى الله عنه من اكابر اصحاب رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم وفقهائهم.
It is narrated from Ubada bin As-Samit رضي الله عنه that the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم said: “Whoever does not recite Surah Al-Fatiha behind the Imam, his prayer is not valid.” The narrator Abu Tayyib says that I asked my teacher Muhammad bin Sulaiman: “Behind the Imam? Are these words in the hadith?” He said: “Yes.” Imam Bayhaqi states that the chain of this hadith is authentic and this addition (behind the Imam) is authentic. Ubada bin As-Samit رضي الله عنه is among the great senior jurists among the companions, and many hadiths are narrated from him through various chains which indicate the same meaning, that is, if one does not recite Surah Al-Fatiha behind the Imam, the prayer will not be valid.
Hadith Number 11
Narrated by Abdullah bin Amr رضي الله عنهما
عن عمرو بن شعيب عن ابيه عن عبد الله بن عمرو رضي الله عنهما ان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم علم خطب الناس فقال: ”من صلى صلاة مكتوبة او سبحة فليقرأ فيها بام القرآن وقرآن معها فان انتهٰي الي ام القرآن اجزأت عنه ومن كان مع الامام فليقرأ بام القرآن قبله اذا سكت ومن صلى صلاة لم يقرأ فيها بام القرآن فهي خداج فهي خداج.“
Abdullah bin Amr bin Al-As, may Allah be pleased with them both, narrated that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said while delivering a sermon: “Whoever performs an obligatory or voluntary prayer must recite Surah Al-Fatiha and also recite more Quran with it; if he only recites Surah Al-Fatiha, that is still sufficient. Whoever prays behind an Imam must also recite Surah Al-Fatiha and should do so before the Imam begins recitation. Whoever prays and does not recite Surah Al-Fatiha, his prayer is incomplete, incomplete.” Imam Bayhaqi has transmitted this narration through multiple chains, and the command of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, to recite Surah Al-Fatiha in the sermon indicates the utmost importance of this issue.
Hadith Number 12
Narrated by Abu Hurairah, may Allah be pleased with him
عن ابي هريره رضى الله عنه قال امرني رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ان انادي: ”لا صلاة الا بقراءة فاتحة الكتاب فما زاد.“
Abu Hurairah, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, commanded me to announce in Medina: “There is no prayer without Surah Al-Fatiha, and one may recite more than that.”
This narration is reported in these words that the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, commanded Abu Hurairah, may Allah be pleased with him, that:
”اخرج فناد فى الناس ان لا صلاة الا بقراءة فاتحة الكتاب فما زاد.“
Meaning, go out and announce among the people that no prayer is valid without Surah Al-Fatiha, then he may recite more than that. And these words are also present:
”قال امرني رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ان انادي فى المدينة انه لا صلاة الا بقراءة ولو بفاتحة الكتاب.“
Meaning, the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, commanded me to announce in Medina that no prayer is valid without recitation, even if it is only Surah Al-Fatiha.
It is established that Surah Al-Fatiha is obligatory and necessary; without it, the prayer is not valid. This hadith also indicates that it is necessary to recite Surah Al-Fatiha behind the Imam because the general announcement implies this, and all those people were praying following the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him. When the follower was prohibited from reciting Surah Al-Fatiha, this was clarified in the announcement, but an absolute command was given that no prayer is valid without Surah Al-Fatiha; therefore, Surah Al-Fatiha is necessary for every prayer.
Hadith Number 13
Narrated by Amr ibn Shuayb from his father from his grandfather
عن عمرو بن شعيب عن ابيه عن جده انهم كانوا يقرؤون خلف رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم اذا انصت فاذا قرأ لم يقرؤوا واذا انصت قرؤوا وكان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول: ”كل صلاة لا يقرأ فيها بام القرآن فهي خداج.“
Amr ibn Shuayb narrates from his father, who narrates from his grandfather, Abdullah ibn Amr ibn al-As, may Allah be pleased with them, that the Companions, may Allah be pleased with them, used to recite behind the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, when he was silent, and when the Prophet, peace be upon him, recited, the followers remained silent. Then when the Prophet, peace be upon him, was silent, the followers would recite. The Prophet, peace be upon him, used to say: “The prayer in which Surah Al-Fatiha is not recited is incomplete (deficient).”
Hadith Number 14
Narrated by Jabir, may Allah be pleased with him
عن جابر رضى الله عنه ذكر قصة معاذ قال قال يعني النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم للفتيٰ كيف تصنع يا ابن اخي اذا صليت؟ قال اقرأ بفاتحة الكتاب واسأل واعوذ به من النار واني لا ادري ما دندنتك ولا دندنة معاذ فقال النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم: ”اني ومعاذ حول هاتين او نحو هذا.“
Regarding the incident of Mu’adh رضي الله عنه, it is narrated from Jabir رضي الله عنه that the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم asked this young man: How do you pray? He said: I recite Surah Al-Fatiha and ask Allah for Paradise and seek refuge from Hellfire. I do not know your way or Mu’adh’s way. The Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم said: “This is also the way for both of us.”
Viewers!
This young man’s name was Saleem, and he was an Ansari. He used to pray behind Mu’adh رضي الله عنه and came to the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم to complain about the length of Mu’adh رضي الله عنه’s prayer. It was proven that during the time of the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم, the follower used to recite Surah Al-Fatiha behind the Imam. When this young man informed the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم of this fact, he did not say to him that you should not recite Surah Al-Fatiha behind the Imam, that the Imam’s recitation is sufficient for you. Rather, the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم even said, “This is the way for both of us as well.”
Hadith Number 15
Narrated by Abu Al-Darda رضي الله عنه
عن كثير بن مره سمع ابا الدرداء رضى الله عنه سئل النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم ما فى كل صلاة قراءة؟ قال: ”نعم.“
Kaseer bin Marah heard from Abu Al-Darda رضي الله عنه that the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم was asked: Should one recite in every prayer? The Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم said: “Yes.”
Here, recitation refers to Surah Al-Fatiha as is clear from other hadiths. This hadith also makes it clear that standing silently does not constitute prayer, and such a prayer is of no use; rather, reciting Surah Al-Fatiha is necessary in it.
Hadith Number 16
Narrated by Abu Hurairah (RA)
عن ابي هريره رضى الله عنه قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم نے فرمايا: ”من صلى صلاة مكتوبة مع الامام فليقرأ فاتحة الكتاب فى سكتاته ومن انتهٰي الي ام القرآن فقد اجزأه.“
It is narrated from Abu Hurairah (RA) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “Whoever is praying the obligatory prayer behind the Imam should recite Surah Al-Fatiha during the Imam’s silent recitation, and if he recites only Surah Al-Fatiha, it is sufficient for him.”
Benefit:
Imam Hakim has declared the chain of this hadith to be authentic.
Viewers:
These sixteen hadiths have been mentioned, from which it is as clear as daylight that Surah Al-Fatiha should be recited in every rak’ah of the prayer in every condition. If a person does not recite Surah Al-Fatiha behind the Imam, his prayer will not be valid. After receiving the hadiths of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, no Muslim should have any hesitation or doubt regarding this matter. After this, the sayings of the Companions, may Allah be pleased with them, are mentioned, which have been taken from Juz’ al-Qira’ah of Bukhari, Juz’ al-Qira’ah of Bayhaqi, Al-Daraqutni, and Sunan al-Kubra of Bayhaqi.
