Recitation of Surah Al-Fatiha for a Follower in Prayer

Authored by: Sheikh Mubashar Ahmad Rabbani (Hafizahullah)

Question:​

Should a follower (Muqtadi) recite Surah Al-Fatiha behind the Imam, or should it only be recited in individual prayers? Please provide guidance based on the Quran and Sunnah.

Answer:​

According to authentic Hadith, reciting Surah Al-Fatiha is obligatory in every prayer for the Imam, follower, and individual praying alone. This ruling is based on the Hadith of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ):

عَنْ عُبَادَةَ بْنِ الصَّامِتِ اَنَّ رَسُوْلَ اللهِ صَلَّي اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ: لَا صَلٰوةَ لِمَنْ لَّمْ يَقْرَأُ بِفَاتِحَةِ الْكِتَابِ

(Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-Adhan, Bab Wujub al-Qira’ah li’l-Imam wa’l-Ma’mum fi’l-Salawat kulliha [Hadith No. 756]; also in Sunan Abu Dawood [822], Sunan al-Nasa’i [2/137], Jami’ al-Tirmidhi [247], and Ibn Majah [837])

Translation:
Narrated by Sayyiduna Ubadah bin As-Samit (RA), the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "The prayer of the one who does not recite Surah Al-Fatiha is invalid."

Understanding from the Hadith:​

From this Hadith, it is evident that every person offering Salah—whether leading as Imam, following as Muqtadi, or praying alone—must recite Surah Al-Fatiha. If anyone omits it, their prayer is deemed invalid.

Scholars’ Commentary on the Hadith​

Explanation by Allama Qastalani (رحمه الله):​

اَيْ فِيْ رَكْعَةٍ مُّنْفَرِدًا اَوْ اِمَامًا اَوْ مَأْمُوْمًا سَوَاءً اَسَرَّ الْاِمَامُ اَوْ جَهَرَ

(Sharh al-Bukhari, Vol. 2, Pg. 439)

Translation:
"This Hadith means that in every Rak‘ah, every individual offering Salah—whether an Imam, a follower, or praying alone—must recite Surah Al-Fatiha, irrespective of whether the Imam recites silently or aloud."

Explanation by Allama Kirmani (رحمه الله):​

وَفِي الْحَدِيْثِ دَلِيْلٌ عَلٰي اَنَّ قِرَاءَةَ الْفَاتِحَةِ وَاجِبَةٌ عَلَي الْاِمَامِ وَالْمَأْمُوْمِ فِي الصَّلَاةِ كُلِّهَا

Translation:
"This Hadith serves as evidence that reciting Surah Al-Fatiha is obligatory for both the Imam and the follower in every Salah."

Additional Evidence:​

In another Hadith, Sayyiduna Ubadah bin As-Samit (RA) narrated:

"We were offering the Fajr prayer behind the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), and he was reciting the Quran. His recitation became difficult. After finishing the prayer, he said, 'Perhaps you were reciting behind your Imam?' We replied, 'We recite quickly.' He (ﷺ) said, 'Do not do so except for Surah Al-Fatiha, as no prayer is valid without it.'"
(Sunan Abu Dawood, Kitab al-Salah: Bab Man Tarak al-Qira’ah fi Salatihi bi-Fatihah al-Kitab [823]; Darqutni 1/318; Hakim 1/238; Bayhaqi 1/164; Musnad Ahmad 5/316; Ibn Khuzaymah 3/304)

Conclusion:​

From the above authentic narrations, it is clear that reciting Surah Al-Fatiha is obligatory in every Rak‘ah for every worshiper, whether leading the prayer, following the Imam, or praying alone. The prayer is incomplete without it.