Question
What is the ruling regarding pauses (saktah) during prayer?
Answer
Pausing (saktah) after reciting Sūrat al-Fātiḥah or after other recitation in prayer is not proven from the Prophet (ﷺ). However, an athar (statement) from Sayyidunā Abū Hurayrah (رضي الله عنه) is established.
Athar from Abū Hurayrah (رضي الله عنه)
❀ He said:
للإمام سكتتان فاغتنموا القراءة فيهما بفاتحة الكتاب
“The Imām has two pauses; take advantage of them by reciting Sūrat al-Fātiḥah during them.”
(al-Qirāʾah Khalf al-Imām by al-Bukhārī, p.165 – chain ḥasan)
This narration is not marfūʿ (attributed to the Prophet ﷺ), but a statement of Abū Hurayrah (رضي الله عنه).
Position of the Majority
Ḥāfiẓ Ibn Kathīr (رحمه الله, d. 774H) said:
هذا مذهب الجمهور، لا أعلم فى ذلك نزاعا
“This is the view of the majority, and I do not know of any disagreement concerning it.”
(Kitāb al-Aḥkām al-Kabīr 3/128)
Conclusion:While no authentic marfūʿ ḥadīth establishes saktah during prayer, the athar from Abū Hurayrah (رضي الله عنه) indicates two pauses, which the majority of scholars have accepted. Hence, it is permissible to pause after reciting Sūrat al-Fātiḥah and after other recitation.
