The Issue of Reciting Surah Al-Fatiha During Salah According to Authentic Ahadith

This article is adapted from the book "Salah of Mustafa (Peace Be Upon Him)" authored by Abu Hamzah Abdul Khaliq Siddiqi.

❖ The Command to Recite Surah Al-Fatiha Behind the Imam​

Reciting Surah Al-Fatiha during Salah is obligatory, even for the one following the Imam, whether the Imam recites aloud or silently. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
﴿لا صلاة لمن لم يقرأ بفاتحة الكتاب .﴾
Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Book of Adhan, Hadith: 756
Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, Book of Salah, Hadith: 394

"There is no Salah for the one who does not recite Surah Al-Fatiha."
Imam Bukhari titled a chapter:
"The obligation of recitation for the Imam and the follower in all prayers, whether during travel or residence, whether the prayer is audible or silent."

Further, Imam Bukhari stated:
﴿تواتر الخبر عن رسول الله لا صلاة إلا بقراءة أم القرآن .﴾
Juz' al-Qirā'ah, Hadith: 25

"The narration is Mutawatir from the Messenger of Allah ﷺ that there is no Salah without the recitation of the Mother of the Book."

❖ Scholarly Commentary​

• Al-Qastallani: "Recitation of Al-Fatiha is necessary for every Rak'ah whether the person is an Imam, an individual, or a follower." (Irshad al-Sari, 2/439)
• Al-Kirmani: "The Hadith is evidence that it is obligatory to recite Al-Fatiha in all prayers for everyone." (Sharh al-Kirmani, 5/124)
• Imam Tirmidhi: Cited consensus among scholars on the necessity of reciting Al-Fatiha whether praying individually or behind an Imam. (Tirmidhi with Tuhfat al-Ahwadhi, 1/256-257)
• Ibn Abd al-Barr: Declared the Hadith as general for Imam, follower, and individual. (Al-Tamhid, 11/43)
• Imam Nawawi: Affirmed the obligation upon Imam, follower, and individual alike. (Sharh Muslim, 10/170)
• Shah Waliullah Dehlawi: Clarified that the Prophet ﷺ declared Al-Fatiha as a pillar (Rukn) of Salah. (Hujjatullah al-Balighah, 2/4)
  

❖ Practice of the Companions​

• Nizamuddin Awliya affirmed the obligation despite being presented a fabricated narration discouraging recitation behind the Imam.
• Majority of scholars and Companions agreed on the necessity of reciting Surah Al-Fatiha in Salah.
• Ibn Abbas: Emphasized reading Surah Al-Fatiha behind the Imam.
• Umar ibn al-Khattab: Commanded to recite Al-Fatiha even if the Imam recited audibly. (Mustadrak al-Hakim, 1/239)
  

❖ Supporting Ahadith​

• The Prophet ﷺ said:

"Whoever prays behind the Imam should recite Surah Al-Fatiha."
(Musnad al-Shamiyyin, Hadith: 291)

• In another narration, the Prophet ﷺ asked:

"Are you reciting behind your Imam?"
When the companions affirmed, he said:
"Do not recite except Surah Al-Fatiha."
(Sunan Abu Dawud, Book of Salah, Hadith: 823)

❖ Scholarly Views from Later Generations​

• Saeed ibn Jubayr, Hassan al-Basri, Al-Awza'i, Imam Shafi'i, Imam Qurtubi, and Imam Shawkaani all upheld the obligation of reciting Al-Fatiha behind the Imam.
• Imam Abu Hanifa's scholars have also acknowledged that there is no authentic prohibition against reciting Al-Fatiha behind the Imam.
  

❖ Refuting the Misinterpretations​

◈ Misuse of the Verse:​

﴿وَإِذَا قُرِئَ الْقُرْآنُ فَاسْتَمِعُوا لَهُ وَأَنصِتُوا لَعَلَّكُمْ تُرْحَمُونَ﴾
(Surah Al-A‘raf: 204)

• Clarification: This verse addresses the listening during Qur'anic recitation for guidance, particularly for non-Muslims during Da'wah, not in Salah.
• Scholars like Ashraf Ali Thanvi and others have explained that this does not relate to prayer.

◈ Hadith About "Being Silent":​

• Silence does not prevent internal recitation, just as it does not prohibit whispering Salawat during the Khutbah.
• Internal recitation fulfills the obligation without causing disturbance.

❖ Fabricated Narrations​

• The narration about the mouth being filled with fire if one recites behind the Imam is fabricated.
• No authentic Hadith prohibits the recitation of Al-Fatiha behind the Imam.
  

❖ Conclusion​

Thus, it is evident through the Qur'an, authentic Hadith, practice of the Sahabah, and scholarly consensus that reciting Surah Al-Fatiha behind the Imam is obligatory. Failure to do so invalidates the prayer according to the majority of the scholars.