The Ruling on the Follower’s Listening to the Imam’s Recitation

He also has another question, saying: I heard a person praying the Maghrib prayer with the worshippers behind the imam. When the imam was reciting one of the surahs, he said aloud: “O Allah, have mercy on me and all the Muslims.” What is the ruling on that? May Allah guide you.
Answer: It is obligatory for the follower to listen to his imam when he recites and not to say anything, but rather to listen, reflect, and understand. This is because Allah, the Exalted, says: [Al-A’raf: 204]. And the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: This is what is obligatory, and one should not say anything. However, if the imam pauses for a moment, and the follower says something to himself that relates to the recitation, there is no harm. For example, mentioning Paradise or the Fire. So regarding Paradise, he says: “O Allah, make me among its people,” and regarding the Fire, he says: “I seek refuge in Allah from it.” In the pause where there is no recitation, there is no harm in that, if Allah wills. As for the time of recitation, it is obligatory to observe listening and not to say anything, except for al-Fatihah, which the follower recites even if the imam recites it, if it is not possible for him to pause. If the imam does not pause, the follower recites al-Fatihah with his imam and then listens to the rest of the recitation... in the loud prayers, according to the correct opinion of the scholars. Yes.