The ma'mum's silence after al-Fatihah in the loud prayers

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Q: The questioner, brother M. A. J. from Tanta in the Arab Republic of Egypt, says in his question: After the imam finishes reciting al-Fatihah in the loud prayer, the ma'mum recites al-Fatihah, but I hear some people reciting a short surah after it. What is the ruling on that? May Allah reward you with good.

A: It is not permissible for the ma'mum in the loud prayer to recite anything beyond al-Fatihah; rather, it is obligatory for him to listen to the imam's recitation after that, based on the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him):

Perhaps you recite behind your imam?

لعلكم تقرءون خلف إمامكم؟

Sunan Abi Dawud 823Da'if (Al-Albani)

We said: Yes. He said:

Do not do so except when it is Fatihat al-Kitab, for he who does not recite it is not credited with having prayed.

لا تفعلوا إلا بفاتحة الكتاب، فإنه لا صلاة لمن لم يقرأ بها

Sunan Abi Dawud 823Da'if (Al-Albani)

And based on the saying of Allah the Exalted:

So when the Qur'an is recited, then listen to it and pay attention that you may receive mercy.

وَإِذَا قُرِئَ الْقُرْآنُ فَاسْتَمِعُوا لَهُ وَأَنْصِتُوا لَعَلَّكُمْ تُرْحَمُونَ

[Al-A'raf: 204] And His saying (peace and blessings be upon him):

When the Imam recites, then listen attentively

إذا قرأ الإمام فأنصتوا

Sunan Ibn Majah 847Sahih (Darussalam)

The only exception to this is the recitation of al-Fatihah alone, based on the aforementioned hadith, and the generality of his saying (peace and blessings be upon him):

There is no Salat for the one who does not recite Fatihatil-Kitab.

لا صلاة لمن لم يقرأ بفاتحة الكتاب

Jami` at-Tirmidhi 247Sahih (Darussalam)

. It is agreed upon that it is authentic.

Source binbaz.org.sa

The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.

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