Written by: Hafiz Zubair Ali Zai (رحمه الله)
(Question by: Abdul Rahman Yaqub Atiyyah, Myanmar, Burma)
It is obligatory (wājib)—in fact, fard (mandatory)—for the follower (muqtadi) to recite Surah Al-Fatihah in audible (jahri) prayers.
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said to the followers in audible prayers:
((لَا تَفْعَلُوا إِلَّا بِأُمِّ الْقُرْآنِ، فَإِنَّهُ لَا صَلَاةَ لِمَنْ لَمْ يَقْرَأْ بِهَا.))
“Do not recite anything except the Umm al-Qur'an (Surah Al-Fatihah), for there is no prayer for the one who does not recite it.”
Kitab al-Qira’at by al-Bayhaqi, p. 64, Hadith 121 – al-Bayhaqi said: ‘This chain is authentic, and its narrators are trustworthy’
The narrator of this Hadith, Naafi‘ ibn Mahmood, is trustworthy according to the majority of Hadith scholars, and the claim by some that he is unknown or obscure is incorrect and rejected.
For a detailed study on the obligation of reciting Surah Al-Fatihah behind the Imam in audible prayers, refer to the following books:
① Juz’ al-Qira’at by Imam al-Bukhari
② Kitab al-Qira’at by Imam al-Bayhaqi
③ Tahqiq al-Kalam by Abdul Rahman Muhaddith Mubarakpuri
④ Al-Kawakib al-Durriyyah fi Wujub al-Fatihah Khalf al-Imam fi al-Jahriyyah by the author
Conclusion:
The recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah by the follower in audible congregational prayers is obligatory. Merely listening to the Imam’s recitation is not sufficient according to authentic Hadith.
وَاللّٰهُ أَعْلَمُ
❖ Question:
There is a view circulating from the Madras region that during audible (jahri) congregational prayers, the followers (muqtadis) should only listen to the recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah by the Imam and are not required to recite it individually. How correct is this opinion?(Question by: Abdul Rahman Yaqub Atiyyah, Myanmar, Burma)
❖ Answer:
Here are brief and comprehensive answers to your questions:It is obligatory (wājib)—in fact, fard (mandatory)—for the follower (muqtadi) to recite Surah Al-Fatihah in audible (jahri) prayers.
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said to the followers in audible prayers:
((لَا تَفْعَلُوا إِلَّا بِأُمِّ الْقُرْآنِ، فَإِنَّهُ لَا صَلَاةَ لِمَنْ لَمْ يَقْرَأْ بِهَا.))
“Do not recite anything except the Umm al-Qur'an (Surah Al-Fatihah), for there is no prayer for the one who does not recite it.”
Kitab al-Qira’at by al-Bayhaqi, p. 64, Hadith 121 – al-Bayhaqi said: ‘This chain is authentic, and its narrators are trustworthy’The narrator of this Hadith, Naafi‘ ibn Mahmood, is trustworthy according to the majority of Hadith scholars, and the claim by some that he is unknown or obscure is incorrect and rejected.
For a detailed study on the obligation of reciting Surah Al-Fatihah behind the Imam in audible prayers, refer to the following books:① Juz’ al-Qira’at by Imam al-Bukhari
② Kitab al-Qira’at by Imam al-Bayhaqi
③ Tahqiq al-Kalam by Abdul Rahman Muhaddith Mubarakpuri
④ Al-Kawakib al-Durriyyah fi Wujub al-Fatihah Khalf al-Imam fi al-Jahriyyah by the author
Conclusion:
The recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah by the follower in audible congregational prayers is obligatory. Merely listening to the Imam’s recitation is not sufficient according to authentic Hadith.
وَاللّٰهُ أَعْلَمُ
