❖ Ruling on Reciting During the Imam’s Recitation – Analysis of a Fabricated Narration ❖
Source: Fatāwā ʿIlmiyyah, Volume 1, Kitāb al-Ṣalāh, Page 310
❖ Question:
A narration attributed to Abū Hurayrah (رضي الله عنه) states:
“When the Imam is silent, you should recite; and when he recites, you remain silent.”
What is the authenticity of this narration?
❖ Answer:
All praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah. To proceed:
❖ Verdict on the Chain of Narration:
❌ This narration is extremely weak, and in fact, fabricated (mawḍūʿ).
📚 For detailed analysis, refer to:
al-Qirāʾah by al-Bayhaqī, pp. 79–80
❖ Reason for Rejection:
The chain contains the narrator:
Isḥāq ibn ʿAbd Allāh ibn Abī Farwah, who has been classified as:
◈ Kadhdhāb – a liar
◈ Matrūk – a discarded narrator, whose narrations are not accepted
➡ Due to this, reporting or relying on such fabricated narrations is impermissible.
📌 Testimony Reference: March 2000 scholarly evaluation.
❖ Conclusion:
✔ The narration “Recite when the Imam is silent…” is not authentic.
❌ It contains a fabricated chain and should not be used to establish any legal ruling.
✔ Only authentic hadiths should be referenced when determining rulings related to recitation behind the Imam.
هذا ما عندي، والله أعلم بالصواب
