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KNOW YOUR RELIGION
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EPISODE 2️⃣: Reciting Sūrah Al-Fātihah Behind the Imām in Prayer: Sālih Al-Fawzān and Al-Albānee
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*The Second Viewpoint:*
The recital is not obligatory behind the Imām. That is because the recitation of the Imām suffices the one following him due to the saying of the Prophet (ﷺ): *_“Whoever has an Imām [leading him in prayer] then the recitation of the Imām is his recitation [also].”_*
*(Narrated from Jābir and reported by Ahmad 14698; Ibn Mājah 850; Al-Bayhaqee in his Sunan 2898 – and Al-Albānee declared it to be hasan (good) in his checking of Ibn Mājah; see Al-Irwā’, 850)*
However, there is some speech concerning the chain of narration of this ahadeeth. These scholars also use as a proof the saying of Allaah (ﷻ):
*وَإِذَا قُرِئَ ٱلْقُرْءَانُ فَٱسْتَمِعُوا۟ لَهُۥ وَأَنصِتُوا۟ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُرْحَمُونَ*
*“So when the Qur'an is recited, then listen to it and pay attention that you may receive mercy.”*
*(Al-A'raf 7:204)*
The point of evidence here is that Allaah (ﷻ) commanded with listening to the the recitation of the Qur’an and to remain silent. And this verse was revealed concerning listening during the Prayer (Salāh), meaning: _When the Imām is reciting then upon the one who is following him is to remain silent and listen because the Imām is reciting for himself and for those following behind him._
This is the view of *Abu Hanīfah* and *Ahmad Ibn Hanbal*.
*The Third Viewpoint:*
This is the view of *Imām Mālik*, and the prefered opinion of *Shaykhul-Islām Ibn Taymiyyah* and a group of scholars: _“That it is obligatory upon the one following the Imām to recite Al-Fātihah [to himself] in the silent prayers wherein the Imām is not reciting aloud, such as Dhuhr and ‘Asr. And as for the loud prayers, then the recitation of the Imām suffices him, and in these loud prayers it is upon the one following the Imām to remain silent and listen._
These scholars say that with this, a person gathers [and acts] upon all the proofs. So the evidences that obligate the recital of Al-Fātihah are to be practiced in the silent prayers. The other proofs along with the noble verse are to be practiced in the loud prayers. *This saying is the most balanced, In'Sha'Allaah.*
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Some ahādeeth on the topic authenticated by the Shaikh and Imām of Hadeeth, Muhammad Nasir ad-Deen Al-Albanee (رحمه الله):
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Ibn Mājah has a heading: *_“Chapter: When the Imām recites, listen silently.”_* Then he narrated the following ahādeeth:
*_To Be Continued, In'Sha'Allaah..._*
May Allaah (ﷻ) grant us mercy, preserve us upon goodness and guide us through the straight path.
*آمِيْن يَارَبَّ الْعَالَمِينْ*
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