Lu'lu' wal-Marjan

Reciting Surah al-Fatihah behind the imam in both audible (jahrī) and silent (sirrī) prayers is an issue whose affirmation is established by many authentic (sahih) hadiths. Despite this reality, it remains a subject of intense debate, upon which many books have been written. Among those who do not accept it, some have gone to such extremes that they declare it absolutely forbidden (haram mutlaq), and even go so far as to say that on the Day of Judgment, those who recite Surah al-Fatihah behind the imam will have embers of fire filled in their mouths. Na‘udhu billah (we seek refuge with Allah). My only purpose is to state that harboring envy or malice towards those who recite Surah al-Fatihah behind the imam, or labeling them as non-conformists (ghayr muqallid) or irreligious (la madhhab), is in no way appropriate. It is necessary that in such subsidiary (furu‘i) matters, we act with broad-mindedness and strive for mutual agreement, which is especially needed today. And with Allah is all success. (Raaz)