The Pauses of the Prophet ﷺ in Prayer and Their Shar‘i Benefit
Source: Aḥkām wa Masā’il, Kitāb al-Ṣalāh, Vol. 1, p. 143
Question
It is mentioned in ḥadīth that the Prophet ﷺ would pause in two places during prayer:
➊ After takbīrat al-taḥrīmah (opening takbīr)
➋ After recitation
Nowadays scholars generally do not act upon these pauses, although the possible benefit could be that a latecomer (muqtadī) might recite Sūrat al-Fātiḥah during these pauses. What is the Shar‘i ruling about this?
✔ Answer
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, ʿammā baʿd!
Undoubtedly, acting upon authentic ḥadīth is necessary. If any action is authentically established from the Prophet ﷺ, then it must be followed.
However, the specific benefit mentioned in the question — that the follower may use these pauses to recite Sūrat al-Fātiḥah — is not reported in any authentic ḥadīth.
Therefore, we must:
✿ Adhere strictly to the actual practice of the Prophet ﷺ.
✿ Act only upon what is authentically established in ḥadīth.
✿ Avoid attributing benefits or wisdoms to the Sunnah which are not mentioned in the sources.
ھذا ما عندي، والله أعلم بالصواب
"This is what I hold, and Allah knows best what is correct."
