What is the ruling on an imam who recites al-Fatihah quietly in a loud prayer out of forgetfulness and then remembers? Does he repeat al-Fatihah?
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The questioner : Your Eminence, an imam is praying with followers in a loud prayer, and during al-Fatihah he remembers that it is a loud prayer. Does he repeat al-Fatihah from the beginning, or does he continue from where he was?
The Shaykh : I mean, it means he recited the recitation quietly at first.
The questioner : Yes, he recited it quietly.
The Shaykh : And then he remembered?
The questioner : He remembered during al-Fatihah.
The Shaykh : There is no blame on him. If he wishes, he may start from the beginning in order to recite the recitation aloud, as is the Sunnah. His returning to the beginning here is for the sake of performing the Sunnah, not merely for repetition. If he wishes, he may start from where he stopped. However, it would be better for the people if he started from the beginning so that they can hear al-Fatihah in its entirety.
The questioner : Does he prostrate for forgetfulness?
The Shaykh : Yes
The questioner : Is prostration for forgetfulness obligatory for him?
The Shaykh : No, he does not prostrate for forgetfulness.
The Shaykh : I mean, it means he recited the recitation quietly at first.
The questioner : Yes, he recited it quietly.
The Shaykh : And then he remembered?
The questioner : He remembered during al-Fatihah.
The Shaykh : There is no blame on him. If he wishes, he may start from the beginning in order to recite the recitation aloud, as is the Sunnah. His returning to the beginning here is for the sake of performing the Sunnah, not merely for repetition. If he wishes, he may start from where he stopped. However, it would be better for the people if he started from the beginning so that they can hear al-Fatihah in its entirety.
The questioner : Does he prostrate for forgetfulness?
The Shaykh : Yes
The questioner : Is prostration for forgetfulness obligatory for him?
The Shaykh : No, he does not prostrate for forgetfulness.