| The Quran, the literal word of Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala, states [al-A’raf 7:204]: |
“So, when the Quran is recited, listen to it, and be silent that you may receive mercy” [al-A’raf 7:204]
When the Quran is being recited, you must listen. The Quran is the word of Allah the Almighty (God).
Surah Al-Fatiha is part of the Quran; therefore, anyone who recites Surah Al-Fatiha while the imam is reciting it is, in fact, contradicting the Qur’an, which is rejecting Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala word and speech.
| Allah’s Messenger Muhammed (ﷺ) said; Listen to Quran Recitation of the Imam’s during congregational prayer |
Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said: “The Imam has been appointed to be followed (in the congregational prayers). So, when he utters the Takbir, utter the Takbir too, and do not utter the Takbir until he utters it. When he bows, you should bow, and do not bow until he bows. When he says, “Allah listens to him who praises him,” say, “O Allah, our Rabb, to you is the praise.” When he prostrates, you prostrate; and do not prostrate until he prostrates. If he prays standing, pray standing, and if he prays sitting, all of you pray sitting.”
[Reported by Abu Dawud and the wording is his].
أَبَا هُرَيْرَةَ يَقُولُ : صَلَّى رَسُولُ اللهِ صَلَّى الله عَليْهِ وسَلَّمَ بِأَصْحَابِهِ صَلاَةً ، نَظُنُّ أَنَّهَا الصُّبْحُ ، فَقَالَ : هَلْ قَرَأَ مِنْكُمْ مِنْ أَحَدٍ ؟ قَالَ رَجُلٌ : أَنَا ، قَالَ : إِنِّي أَقُولُ مَا لِي أُنَازَعُ الْقُرْآنَ !
| Imam Abu Hanifa, Scholars of Deoband & Surah al-Fatiha |
The Ulama Deoband adhere to the Imam Abu Hanifa school of Islamic jurisprudence within Sunni Islam, which holds that when the Imam recites the Quran, Surah Fatiha is the Quran, then the muqtadi (people who pray behind an imam) should listen.
By following this methodology, you are, in fact, following the literal word of Allah in your Salah.
“So, when the Quran is recited, listen to it, and be silent that you may receive mercy” [al-A’raf 7:204]
Remember, the imam’s recitation is also the recitation of the one praying behind him (muqtadi). Because this is what the Allah’s Messenger Muhammed (ﷺ) said.
| Abdullah ibn Umar ibn al-Khattab (RA) |
عن مالك عن نافع :أن عبد الله بن عمر كان إذا سئل هل يقرأ أحد خلف الإمام قال إذا صلى أحدكم خلف الإمام فحسبه قراءة الإمام وإذا صلى وحده فليقرأ قال وكان عبد الله بن عمر لا يقرأ خلف الإمام
Naf’I said Abdullah ibn Umar was asked “ Should a person read behind the Imam. He answered: Whenever one of you prays behind the Imam, the Imam’s recitation suffices, but if you pray alone then read Al-Fatihah.’ Abdullah ibn Umar didn’t recite Al-Fatihah behind the Imam.
| Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal & Surah al-Fatiha |
Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal, of the Hanbali school of thought in fiqh, which is closely related to Salafism, also states that individuals in salaah behind the Imam should not recite Surah Fatiha because the Imam is reciting it.
The imam’s recitation is also the recitation of the one praying behind him (muqtadi).
Because the Imam is leading the prayers for all in the Jamaah, his recitation is for all those who stand behind him.
| The Messenger of ALLAH, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said; |
The Messenger of ALLAH, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said;
| أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ” لاَ صَلاَةَ لِمَنْ لَمْ يَقْرَأْ بِفَاتِحَةِ الْكِتَابِ ”. |
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| Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said, “Whoever does not recite Al-Fatiha in his prayer, his prayer is invalid.” |
Sahih al-Bukhari 756 – Call to Prayers (Adhaan) |
The above hadith states categorically that whoever reads Salah without Surah Al-Fatiha invalidates their prayer.
All the eminent scholars of Hadith and Fiqh also agree that this hadith relates to a person who reads their salah alone, individually, and not in jama’ah.
Whereas the Salafis consider reciting Surah Al-Fatiha essential and mandatory, even when in Jamaa’h. And whoever does not read it, the Salafis consider their salah to be void.
So there are 2 opposing positions: one from the Salafis and the other from Ahlul Sunnah wal Jamaa’ah – Ulama Deoband.
Now, if we take the literal meaning of this hadith, then it is clear that we must recite Surah Al-Fatiha when in Jamaa’ah, behind the Imam.
If there were only one hadith regarding Surah Al-Fatiha, it would also be clear that we must read Surah Al-Fatiha behind the imam in jamaa’ah.
But when there are other hadiths, as authentic hadiths, then it’s not possible to adhere to one and ignore the rest.
In the science of Hadith (Ulum al-Hadith), when the scholars of Hadith examined a narration attributed to the Messenger of Allah, Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), they did not accept the hadith at face value; rather, it underwent a rigorous, methodical, two-part investigation that examined both the textual content (matn) and the chain of transmission (isnad).
After this methodology of the expert scholars of hadith, they were able to ascertain that the above hadith – Sahih al-Bukhari 756 – Call to Prayers, related to reading salah individually, alone.
| In addition, some other points to note: |
It is generally accepted that every Surah or verse that the Imam reads after Surah al-Fatiha should be listened to in silence rather than read. This proves that it is better to listen to the Imam recite than to read. In fact, it confirms that rather than reading the Quran alongside the Imam, the follower must listen to it.
If reading Surah al-Fatiha behind the Imam were required, it would imply that it must be read with him or that the Imam must remain silent after finishing to allow the one praying behind him (muqtadi) to finish. I’m not aware of any disagreements among scholars who maintain that the Imam must remain silent so that his followers can study Surah al-Fatiha.
The Prophet (sallAllahu alayhi wasallam) didn’t remain silent after Al-Fatiha, so the Jama’ah could read Al-Fatiha