The Correct Method of Reciting Surah Al-Fatiha Behind the Imam
Clarification of the Question:
The question presents various ahadith related to the method of reciting Surah Al-Fatiha behind the Imam in prayer. It specifically mentions whether the Imam has two pauses (silent intervals) during which the follower should recite Surah Al-Fatiha. In light of these ahadith, clarification is required on:
✿ Are these narrations authentic?
✿ Should one act according to these narrations?
✿ If most Imams do not make two pauses, is it necessary to make the second pause or not?
Below, each narration is explained separately:
(1) Narration of Samrah bin Jundub (RA):
“Samrah bin Jundub (RA) says that the Prophet ﷺ used to make two pauses, one when starting the prayer and one when he finished the recitation.”
Explanation:
This narration is weak and defective, because its chain includes Hasan Basri, may Allah have mercy on him, about whom it is written in the book “At-Taqreeb”:
“وَكَانَ يُرْسِلُ كَثِيرًا وَيُدَلِّسُ”
Meaning: “He used to narrate many mursal (disconnected) and tadlees (ambiguous narration).”
In this narration, he did not clarify sama‘ (direct hearing), which is why this narration is considered weak. For more details, refer to the following books:
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(2) Narration of Abdullah bin Amr, may Allah be pleased with him:
“The companions, may Allah be pleased with them, used to recite behind you ﷺ when you ﷺ were silent, and when you ﷺ recited, the companions would not recite anything; when you ﷺ became silent, then they would recite.”
Explanation:
This narration is actually related to silence and pause during recitation, as is clear from its wording. It is established from the Messenger of Allah ﷺ that there are pauses (waqf) between the verses.
It is not correct to deduce two specific pauses from this narration, however it is an accepted fact that:
✿ After Takbeer-e-Tahreema (the opening Takbeer to start the prayer)
✿ Before the beginning of the recitation
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to pause a little. Therefore, from this narration, only one pause is established, not two.
(3) The narration with the sermon:
“You ﷺ said in the sermon: Whoever is praying behind the Imam should recite Surah Al-Fatiha before the Imam pauses.”
Explanation:
In one chain of this narration, Ibn Lahi’ah is present, and in another, Muthanna bin Sabah, and both narrators are weak.
However, even if it is assumed that this narration reaches the level of Hasan Lighairihi (as some scholars opine, as mentioned in the book “Salat al-Muslimeen”), still:
✿ From this narration, only one pause is established which occurs before the recitation.
✿ There is no mention of a second pause (after the recitation) in it.
This is the pause upon which all Imams and jurists act.
(4) The narration of Hazrat Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه:
“The Imam has two pauses, and in both, return the recitation of Surah Al-Fatiha.”
Explanation:
This narration is Mawquf, meaning it is the statement of Hazrat Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) and not of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
Remember that the proof is only the Book of Allah and the established Sunnah of the Messenger ﷺ, not the sayings of the Companions, unless they are attributed to the Prophet ﷺ.
Furthermore, Hazrat Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) has a second statement, which is mentioned in the fifth narration:
“وَاسبِقْہُ”
Meaning: “Recite Surah Al-Fatiha before the Imam.”
If Hazrat Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) believed in reciting during the second pause, he would not have instructed to recite before the Imam. This makes it clear that:
✿ Attributing the fourth narration to Hazrat Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) is a misconception by some narrators.
✿ In reality, this statement belongs to Imam Abu Salamah (may Allah have mercy on him), which some narrator mistakenly attributed to Hazrat Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him).
(5) Narration:
“When the Imam recites Surah Al-Fatiha, you also recite Surah Al-Fatiha and recite it before him.”
Explanation:
This statement is attributed to Hazrat Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him), and as explained earlier, he is ordering to recite Surah Al-Fatiha before the Imam. This is evidence that he was not in favor of recitation during the second pause.
Summary:
✿ The narration with two pauses (two silent stops) is weak, and it cannot be acted upon.
✿ One pause (before recitation) is proven from the Prophet ﷺ and all the Imams act upon it.
✿ The practice of the Companions was also based on this one pause.
✿ Looking at the statements of Hazrat Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him), he too was in favor of one pause and recitation before the Imam.
✿ Therefore, the second pause (after recitation) is neither proven, nor necessary, nor practicable.
هٰذَا مَا عِندِي وَاللّٰهُ أَعْلَمُ بِالصَّوَابِ
