What is the ruling on the prayer of the ma'mum if he does not recite al-Fatihah because the imam does not give him the opportunity to recite it, and is it obligatory in every rak'ah?
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The questioner : What is the ruling on the prayer of one who is unable to recite al-Fatihah because the imam does not allow him the opportunity to do so, and is it obligatory in every rak'ah?
The Shaykh : If the questioner means that the imam does not give him the opportunity to recite al-Fatihah, meaning that he hastens in the prayer, for example in the silent prayers, then the ma'mum must leave his imam, meaning he should pray alone and complete his prayer alone. Why? Because he is between two things: either he follows the imam and leaves off reciting al-Fatihah, or he recites al-Fatihah and leaves off following the imam. Neither of these is correct. This happens often when a person misses the prayer and joins with a man who sometimes does not settle in his prayer, and I am unable to follow him. So we say: you must leave him and complete your prayer alone, for the reason we mentioned, because you are between two things: either you leave what is obligatory upon you of settling and reciting al-Fatihah, or you fall behind the imam and are unable to follow him. In that case, separate yourself in your prayer and make it up alone.
As for if he does not give you the opportunity in the loud prayer, meaning that when he recites al-Fatihah and says "Ameen," he begins to recite the surah that follows, then recite al-Fatihah even if the imam is reciting. This is because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) prayed the Fajr prayer with his Companions, and when he finished his prayer, he said: This is in the Fajr prayer, which is a loud prayer, and it is evidence that al-Fatihah is not dropped for the ma'mum in the loud prayer, just as it is not dropped for him in the silent prayer.
The Shaykh : If the questioner means that the imam does not give him the opportunity to recite al-Fatihah, meaning that he hastens in the prayer, for example in the silent prayers, then the ma'mum must leave his imam, meaning he should pray alone and complete his prayer alone. Why? Because he is between two things: either he follows the imam and leaves off reciting al-Fatihah, or he recites al-Fatihah and leaves off following the imam. Neither of these is correct. This happens often when a person misses the prayer and joins with a man who sometimes does not settle in his prayer, and I am unable to follow him. So we say: you must leave him and complete your prayer alone, for the reason we mentioned, because you are between two things: either you leave what is obligatory upon you of settling and reciting al-Fatihah, or you fall behind the imam and are unable to follow him. In that case, separate yourself in your prayer and make it up alone.
As for if he does not give you the opportunity in the loud prayer, meaning that when he recites al-Fatihah and says "Ameen," he begins to recite the surah that follows, then recite al-Fatihah even if the imam is reciting. This is because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) prayed the Fajr prayer with his Companions, and when he finished his prayer, he said: