Question:
Has the Qur’an prohibited the follower (Muqtadi) from reciting Surah Al-Fatihah behind the Imam?
Source: Fatāwā Amunpuri by Shaykh Ghulam Mustafa Zaheer Amunpuri
Nowhere in the Noble Qur’an has the follower (Muqtadi) been prohibited from reciting Surah Al-Fatihah. Those who prevent the follower from reciting Surah Al-Fatihah usually cite verse 204 of Surah Al-A‘rāf as evidence. A brief and scholarly review of this argument is presented below.
Arabic Text:
﴿وَإِذَا قُرِئَ الْقُرْآنُ فَاسْتَمِعُوا لَهُ وَأَنْصِتُوا لَعَلَّكُمْ تُرْحَمُونَ﴾
(Al-A‘rāf: 204)
Translation:
“When the Qur’an is recited, listen to it attentively and remain silent so that you may receive mercy.”
Using this verse as proof to prohibit recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah behind the Imam is incorrect for several reasons:
① In the era of the best generations (Khair al-Qurūn), none of the scholars used this verse to forbid the follower from reciting Surah Al-Fatihah.
② This verse was revealed during the lifetime of the Prophet ﷺ, yet despite that, the Prophet ﷺ instructed the followers to recite Surah Al-Fatihah in audible (Jahri) prayers and never forbade them from doing so.
③ The verse is general in meaning, but the ḥadīth specifically exempts Surah Al-Fatihah. Hence, while the general rule from the Qur’an is that followers should listen silently when the Qur’an is recited, the authentic ḥadīth provides an exception — the recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah by the follower.
Conclusion:
The Qur’an has not prohibited the Muqtadi from reciting Surah Al-Fatihah. The claim that verse 204 of Surah Al-A‘rāf forbids such recitation is unfounded and contradicts the authentic practice of the Prophet ﷺ.
Has the Qur’an prohibited the follower (Muqtadi) from reciting Surah Al-Fatihah behind the Imam?
Source: Fatāwā Amunpuri by Shaykh Ghulam Mustafa Zaheer Amunpuri
✿ Answer:
Nowhere in the Noble Qur’an has the follower (Muqtadi) been prohibited from reciting Surah Al-Fatihah. Those who prevent the follower from reciting Surah Al-Fatihah usually cite verse 204 of Surah Al-A‘rāf as evidence. A brief and scholarly review of this argument is presented below.
❀ The Saying of Allah Almighty:
Arabic Text:
﴿وَإِذَا قُرِئَ الْقُرْآنُ فَاسْتَمِعُوا لَهُ وَأَنْصِتُوا لَعَلَّكُمْ تُرْحَمُونَ﴾
(Al-A‘rāf: 204)Translation:
“When the Qur’an is recited, listen to it attentively and remain silent so that you may receive mercy.”
✿ Explanation:
Using this verse as proof to prohibit recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah behind the Imam is incorrect for several reasons:
① In the era of the best generations (Khair al-Qurūn), none of the scholars used this verse to forbid the follower from reciting Surah Al-Fatihah.
② This verse was revealed during the lifetime of the Prophet ﷺ, yet despite that, the Prophet ﷺ instructed the followers to recite Surah Al-Fatihah in audible (Jahri) prayers and never forbade them from doing so.
③ The verse is general in meaning, but the ḥadīth specifically exempts Surah Al-Fatihah. Hence, while the general rule from the Qur’an is that followers should listen silently when the Qur’an is recited, the authentic ḥadīth provides an exception — the recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah by the follower.
Conclusion:The Qur’an has not prohibited the Muqtadi from reciting Surah Al-Fatihah. The claim that verse 204 of Surah Al-A‘rāf forbids such recitation is unfounded and contradicts the authentic practice of the Prophet ﷺ.
