Pauses in Prayer and the Ruling on the Follower’s Recitation of Sūrat al-Fātiḥah
Source: Aḥkām wa Masā’il, Kitāb al-Ṣalāh, Vol. 1, p. 142
Question
Some people say there are three pauses (saktāt) during prayer. They claim that the middle pause, after Sūrat al-Fātiḥah, exists so that latecomers may hear the imam’s recitation, based on the Qur’ānic verse:
﴿وَاِذَا قُرِئَ الْقُرْاٰنُ فَاسْتَمِعُوْا لَهٗ وَ اَنْصِتُوْا﴾
"When the Qur’an is recited, listen to it and remain silent." (al-Aʿrāf: 204)
It is further said that this pause should be long enough to allow a follower to recite al-Fātiḥah. Is this correct?
✔ Answer
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, ʿammā baʿd!
Yes, there are pauses during prayer while standing (qiyām), but their details are as follows:
Types of Pauses in Prayer
✿ First Pause: Between takbīrat al-taḥrīmah and the start of Sūrat al-Fātiḥah.
- This is proven and its purpose is to recite the opening supplication (duʿāʾ al-istiftāḥ) such as: “Allāhumma bāʿid baynī…”
- Its duration is only as long as it takes to say this supplication.
✿ Second Pause (after al-Fātiḥah):
- The claim that this should be a long pause for followers to recite al-Fātiḥah has no basis in any authentic marfūʿ ḥadīth from the Prophet ﷺ.
Ruling on the Follower’s Recitation
- It is indeed obligatory for the follower to recite Sūrat al-Fātiḥah in prayer, whether he:
◈ Recites it alongside the imam,
◈ Recites it before the imam, or
◈ Recites it after the imam. - As for the Qur’ānic verse:
﴿وَاِذَا قُرِئَ الْقُرْاٰنُ فَاسْتَمِعُوْا لَهٗ وَ اَنْصِتُوْا﴾
(al-Aʿrāf: 204)
It only commands attentive listening and silence during Qur’ānic recitation.
- The verse does not explicitly or implicitly prohibit the listener from reciting al-Fātiḥah quietly to himself.
Conclusion
- The long pause after al-Fātiḥah for the follower’s recitation is not established from the Sunnah.
- The follower is still required to recite al-Fātiḥah, but he may do so before, with, or after the imam’s recitation.
ھذا ما عندي، والله أعلم بالصواب
"This is what I hold, and Allah knows best what is correct."
