Rakʿah of One Who Joins in Rukūʿ and the Condition of Sūrah al-Fātiḥah
Source: Aḥkām wa Masāʾil – Bāb al-Ṣalāh, Vol. 1, p. 161
Question:
Regarding the rakʿah of a person who joins the prayer while the Imām is in rukūʿ, the ḥadīth of Abū Bakrah رضي الله عنه is presented, which contains the words “لَا تَعُدْ”. From this it is argued that his rakʿah was counted since he was not ordered to repeat the prayer.
However, there is also another ḥadīth that states: “There is no prayer for the one who does not recite Sūrah al-Fātiḥah.”
Kindly clarify this matter, as it seems contradictory and is causing confusion.
Answer:
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa-s-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, ammā baʿd!
In the ḥadīth of Abū Bakrah رضي الله عنه, the authentic wording is “لَا تَعُدْ”, which means:
✿ “Do not do this again.”
The meaning is: Do not repeat this action in future, i.e., do not join the prayer hastily while the Imām is already in rukūʿ.
The wording “لَا تُعِدْ” (Do not repeat the prayer) is not authentically established in this narration. Hence, it is incorrect to deduce from this narration that his rakʿah was counted and that he was exempted from repeating his prayer.
The Ḥadīth Regarding Sūrah al-Fātiḥah:
On the other hand, the following ḥadīth is decisive and categorical:
«لاَ صَلاَةَ لِمَنْ لَمْ يَقْرَأْ بِفَاتِحَةِ الْكِتَابِ»
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī – Kitāb al-Adhān, Bāb: Wujūb al-Qirāʾah li-l-Imām wa-l-Maʾmūm fī al-Ṣalawāt Kullihā;
Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim – Kitāb al-Ṣalāh, Bāb: Wujūb Qirāʾat al-Fātiḥah fī Kull Rakʿah)
Translation:
“There is no prayer for the one who does not recite Sūrah al-Fātiḥah.”
This clearly establishes that reciting Sūrah al-Fātiḥah in every rakʿah is obligatory, whether for the Imām, the follower (maʾmūm), or the individual praying alone.
Conclusion:
There is no contradiction between the ḥadīth of Abū Bakrah رضي الله عنه and the ḥadīth regarding Sūrah al-Fātiḥah:
❀ The phrase “لَا تَعُدْ” in the narration of Abū Bakrah رضي الله عنه does not indicate that his rakʿah was valid.
❀ The ḥadīth of Sūrah al-Fātiḥah clearly proves that recitation of al-Fātiḥah is necessary in every rakʿah.
❀ Therefore, if someone joins the prayer during rukūʿ and is unable to recite Sūrah al-Fātiḥah, his rakʿah will not be counted. He must stand after the Imām’s salām and perform a complete rakʿah to compensate.
Hādhā mā ʿindī, wallāhu aʿlam bi-ṣ-ṣawāb
