What is the ruling on a follower who does not recite al-Fatihah behind the imam in the last two rak'ahs of the Zuhr or 'Isha' prayer?
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The questioner : If a follower recites al-Fatihah behind the imam in the last two rak'ahs of the Zuhr or 'Isha' prayer, is there any issue with that?
The Shaykh : As for those who hold that the follower is not required to recite, he owes nothing. As for those who hold that it is obligatory for the follower to recite al-Fatihah, the principles of jurisprudence dictate that he must perform two rak'ahs in place of the two in which he left off the recitation. However, if he did so intentionally, knowing that recitation is a pillar that is indispensable, his prayer is invalid.
The questioner : Many people, O Shaykh, do not complete al-Fatihah behind the imam.
The Shaykh : The issue of completing it is a matter of understanding; I understood from your words that he did not recite. However, a person should, if he knows that his imam recites quickly, also recite quickly. This concludes this session, and we look forward to next week, if Allah wills. We ask Allah the Exalted to conclude our year with goodness, blessing, forgiveness, and pardon.
The Shaykh : As for those who hold that the follower is not required to recite, he owes nothing. As for those who hold that it is obligatory for the follower to recite al-Fatihah, the principles of jurisprudence dictate that he must perform two rak'ahs in place of the two in which he left off the recitation. However, if he did so intentionally, knowing that recitation is a pillar that is indispensable, his prayer is invalid.
The questioner : Many people, O Shaykh, do not complete al-Fatihah behind the imam.
The Shaykh : The issue of completing it is a matter of understanding; I understood from your words that he did not recite. However, a person should, if he knows that his imam recites quickly, also recite quickly. This concludes this session, and we look forward to next week, if Allah wills. We ask Allah the Exalted to conclude our year with goodness, blessing, forgiveness, and pardon.