Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah

Hazrat Yazid bin Sharik Taimi says that I asked Hazrat Umar bin Khattab about reciting (Qira'at) behind the Imam. He replied, "Recite behind the Imam." I asked, "Even if I am praying behind you?" He said, "Even if you are praying behind me." I asked, "Even if you are reciting (Qira'at)?" He replied, "Yes, even then."

Hazrat Mujahid says that I heard Hazrat Abdullah bin Amr bin Aas reciting Surah Maryam behind the Imam in the Zuhr prayer.

Hazrat Husain says that I prayed with Hazrat Ubaidullah bin Abdullah bin Utbah. I heard him reciting (Qur'an) behind the Imam. After that, I met Hazrat Mujahid and mentioned this to him, so he said that I have heard Hazrat Abdullah bin Amr reciting (Qur'an) behind the Imam.

Hazrat Huzail narrates that Hazrat Abdullah bin Masood recited Surah Al-Fatihah and another Surah in the first two rak'ahs behind the Imam in the Asr prayer.

Hazrat Abu Maryam Asadi says that I offered prayer with Hazrat Abdullah. I heard that he was reciting (Qira'at) behind an Amir in the Zuhr and Asr prayers.

Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) used to say that in Zuhr and Asr, recite Surah Al-Fatihah and another Surah in every rak'ah behind the Imam.

Hazrat Hakam and Hazrat Hammad state that Hazrat Ali used to instruct recitation behind the Imam.

Hazrat Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them) says that recite Surah Al-Fatihah behind the Imam without fail, whether he is reciting aloud or in a low voice.

Hazrat Ubadah bin Samit narrates that the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) led us in the Isha prayer, and during the prayer, he seemed to find the recitation burdensome. When he finished the prayer, he said, "Perhaps you were reciting behind your Imam?" We said, "Yes, O Messenger of Allah! We were doing so." The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, "You should recite only Surah Al-Fatihah behind the Imam, because without it, the prayer is not valid."

Hazrat Abu Qalabah narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said to his companions, "Do you recite (Qur'an) behind your Imam?" Some said yes, and some denied. So the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said, "If you must recite, then recite only Surah Al-Fatihah in your heart."

It is narrated similarly through another chain of transmission.

Hazrat Mu'adh says that if a person is praying behind the imam, and he is listening to the imam's recitation, then he should recite Surah Al-Ikhlas, Surah An-Nas, and Surah Al-Falaq. And if he is not hearing the imam's recitation, then he should recite himself, but he should not cause discomfort to the people standing to his right and left.

Hazrat Sha'bi says that you have a choice in this matter: if you wish, you may recite, and if you wish, you may suffice with the recitation of the Imam.

Hazrat Saeed bin Jubair says that if you are not hearing the recitation of the Imam, then if you wish, recite in your heart.

Hasan used to say that behind the Imam, recite Surah Al-Fatihah in your heart in every rak'ah.

Hazrat Sha'bi used to say that behind the Imam in Zuhr and Asr, recite Surah Al-Fatihah and any one Surah, and in the last two rak'ahs, recite only Surah Al-Fatihah.

Hazrat Sha'bi says that reciting (Qur'an) behind the Imam is the light of prayer.

Hazrat Saeed bin Musayyib says that the Imam and the follower will recite Surah Al-Fatihah in Zuhr and Asr prayers.

Hazrat Hakam states that in the silent prayers, behind the Imam, in the first two rak‘ahs recite Surah Al-Fatihah and any one Surah, and in the other two rak‘ahs recite only Surah Al-Fatihah.

Hazrat Urwah says that remain silent in the audible prayers and recite (Qur'an) in the silent prayers.

Hazrat Yahya bin Abi Ishaq says that I offered the Maghrib prayer behind Hakam bin Ayyub. Abu Mulaeeh was standing next to Ibn Usama. I heard Abu Mulaeeh reciting Surah Al-Fatiha. When the Imam finished the prayer with salam, I asked Abu Mulaeeh, "Were you reciting (Qur'an) behind the Imam, even though the Imam was also reciting?" He said, "Did you hear anything?" I said, "Yes." He replied, "Yes, I was reciting."

Hazrat Anas, regarding recitation behind the Imam, says that this is tasbih.

Hazrat Mahmood bin Rabee’ says that I offered prayer with Hazrat Ubadah bin Samit. He recited Surah Al-Fatihah in the prayer. After the prayer, I submitted, “O Abu Al-Waleed! I heard you reciting Surah Al-Fatihah?” He said, “Yes, without it the prayer is not valid.”

Hazrat Abu Majliz says that if you recite (Qur'an) behind the Imam, it is good, and if you do not, then the recitation of the Imam is sufficient for you.

Hazrat Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) says that recite Surah Al-Fatihah behind the Imam.

Hazrat Malik bin Mughul says that Sha'bi used to recite beautifully behind the Imam.

Hazrat Qasim says that I like to keep myself engaged during Zuhr and Asr.

Hazrat Abu Sa’ib says that I asked Hazrat Abu Hurairah, “What should I do behind the Imam?” He pulled my arm and said, “O Persian! Recite Surah Al-Fatihah in your heart.”