Source: Fatawa ‘Ilmiyyah, Volume 1, Kitab al-Salah, Page 305
Explanation regarding pauses (سکتات) in Salah
Is there any evidence of pauses in Salah? Kindly elaborate.
الحمد لله، والصلاة والسلام علىٰ رسول الله، أما بعد!
There is proof from authentic Sunnah of the Imam observing pauses (سکتات) during Salah, as is evident from the following narrations:
➊ Pause after a Verse (آیت کے بعد وقف):
It is established that the Imam pauses at the end of each verse.
Sunan al-Tirmidhi, Chapters on Recitation, Chapter: Regarding Surah al-Fatihah, Hadith: 2927
(And the Hadith is authentic.)
➋ Pause After Completing Recitation (قراءت کے بعد وقفہ):
It is also proven that the Imam would observe a brief pause after completing the recitation in Salah.
Sunan al-Tirmidhi, Kitab al-Salah, Chapter: What Has Been Reported Regarding the Two Pauses in Salah, Hadith: 251
(And the Hadith is authentic.)
Therefore, it is appropriate for the Imam to give due consideration to these established pauses.
However, if someone does not understand these pauses or omits them due to ijtihadi error, even then the follower (muqtadi) is obligated to recite Surah Al-Fatihah, because without it the Salah is not complete.
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
"لَا يَقْرَأَنَّ أَحَدٌ مِنْكُمْ شَيْئًا مِنْ الْقُرْآنِ إذَا جَهَرْت بِالْقِرَاءَةِ إلَّا بِأُمِّ الْقُرْآنِ"
“When I recite aloud (in Salah), none of you should recite anything from the Qur'an except for Surah Al-Fatihah.”
Sunan al-Nasa’i, Kitab al-Iftitah, Chapter: Reciting Umm al-Qur’an Behind the Imam in Loud Prayers, Volume 2, Page 141, Hadith: 921
(Its chain is authentic.)
To verify the reliability of Nafi‘ bin Mahmud, see:
Kitab: Al-Kawakib al-Durriyyah, Pages: 52–55
The pauses by the Imam are established through authentic Sunnah, and should be practiced.
Regardless of whether there is a pause or not, the follower must recite Surah Al-Fatihah in every unit of Salah.
ھٰذا ما عندي، والله أعلم بالصواب
❖ Question:
Explanation regarding pauses (سکتات) in Salah
Is there any evidence of pauses in Salah? Kindly elaborate.
❖ Answer:
الحمد لله، والصلاة والسلام علىٰ رسول الله، أما بعد!
✔ Evidence of Pauses from Authentic Sunnah:
There is proof from authentic Sunnah of the Imam observing pauses (سکتات) during Salah, as is evident from the following narrations:
❀ Evidences of Imam’s Pauses:
➊ Pause after a Verse (آیت کے بعد وقف):
It is established that the Imam pauses at the end of each verse.
Sunan al-Tirmidhi, Chapters on Recitation, Chapter: Regarding Surah al-Fatihah, Hadith: 2927(And the Hadith is authentic.)
➋ Pause After Completing Recitation (قراءت کے بعد وقفہ):
It is also proven that the Imam would observe a brief pause after completing the recitation in Salah.
Sunan al-Tirmidhi, Kitab al-Salah, Chapter: What Has Been Reported Regarding the Two Pauses in Salah, Hadith: 251(And the Hadith is authentic.)
✔ Imam Should Observe These Pauses:
Therefore, it is appropriate for the Imam to give due consideration to these established pauses.
However, if someone does not understand these pauses or omits them due to ijtihadi error, even then the follower (muqtadi) is obligated to recite Surah Al-Fatihah, because without it the Salah is not complete.
✿ Noble Hadith:
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
"لَا يَقْرَأَنَّ أَحَدٌ مِنْكُمْ شَيْئًا مِنْ الْقُرْآنِ إذَا جَهَرْت بِالْقِرَاءَةِ إلَّا بِأُمِّ الْقُرْآنِ"
“When I recite aloud (in Salah), none of you should recite anything from the Qur'an except for Surah Al-Fatihah.”
Sunan al-Nasa’i, Kitab al-Iftitah, Chapter: Reciting Umm al-Qur’an Behind the Imam in Loud Prayers, Volume 2, Page 141, Hadith: 921(Its chain is authentic.)
✔ Additional Reference for Research:
To verify the reliability of Nafi‘ bin Mahmud, see:
Kitab: Al-Kawakib al-Durriyyah, Pages: 52–55❖ Conclusion:
The pauses by the Imam are established through authentic Sunnah, and should be practiced.
Regardless of whether there is a pause or not, the follower must recite Surah Al-Fatihah in every unit of Salah.
ھٰذا ما عندي، والله أعلم بالصواب
