The Obligation of Reciting Surat Al-Fatihah Behind The Imam in Salah

According to the Shafi’i madh-hab, the follower is to recite (silently) surat al faatihah (the opening chapter) of the Qur’an behind the Imaam in Salah.

Imam Ibn Kathir states in his “Tabaqat Ash-Shafiyyin”:

“[And from those things that Imam Ash-Shafi'i was the only one to forward as his madh-hab]…From his “new” (jadid) school is that he held it to be obligatory upon the one following the Imam to recite fatihah [to himself] in the silent and loud prayers due to the general statement of the Nabi (‘alayhis salam) saying, ‘There is no prayer except with the opening of the Book (fatihah)’. He stated in his “old” school that it was not obligatory in the prayers said aloud, though obligatory in the silent prayers.”

((Vol 1 pg 88 Darul Wafa’ ))

The following is research we have done regarding this detailed issue. Note that it is a defense of the Shafi’i madh-hab. If you are Hanafi, Maaliki, Hanbali (according to the correct opinion), this article is not for you unless you are simply interested in reading the proofs for the opposing view.

I hope that it benefits the Muslims as it benefited us. Please note that the article is in PDF format. You will need to have adobe acrobat to view it. If you have any problems with the article please feel free to comment on this post below.

The Obligation of Reciting Suratul-Faatihah Behind the Imaam in Salaah