In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Salah and Surah al-Fatihah (In the Light of Hadith)

‘Ubadah ibn as-Samit رضي الله عنه reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “There is no prayer for the one who does not recite Surah al-Fatihah.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Sahih Muslim)

Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “Whoever performs a prayer and does not recite Surah al-Fatihah in it, then it is deficient.” He ﷺ said this three times, and then said: “It is incomplete.”
It was asked of Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه: What if we are praying behind an Imam? He replied: Recite it within yourself, for I heard the Messenger of Allah ﷺ say that Allah Ta‘ala says:

“I have divided the prayer between Myself and My servant into two halves, and My servant shall have what he asks for. When the servant says:
الْحَمْدُ لِلّٰهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ
Allah says: My servant has praised Me.

When he says:
الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ
Allah says: My servant has extolled Me.

When he says:
مَالِكِ يَوْمِ الدِّينِ
Allah says: My servant has glorified Me.

When he says:
إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ
Allah says: This is between Me and My servant, and My servant shall have what he asks.

And when he says:
اهْدِنَا الصِّرَاطَ الْمُسْتَقِيمَ
صِرَاطَ الَّذِينَ أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيْهِمْ
غَيْرِ الْمَغْضُوبِ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا الضَّالِّينَ

Allah says: This is for My servant, and My servant shall have what he asks.”
(Sahih Muslim)

The Opinions of the Mujtahid Imams Regarding the Recitation of Surah al-Fatihah

Among the Mujtahid Imams, Imam ash-Shafi‘i رحمه الله and some other scholars derived from this Hadith, as well as from similar narrations, that the recitation of Surah al-Fatihah is necessary in every situation—whether a person is praying alone, leading the prayer, or following an Imam, and whether the prayer is audible (Jahri) or silent (Sirri).

Imam Malik رحمه الله, Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal رحمه الله, and many other scholars, while considering this Hadith along with other related narrations, held the view that when a person is praying behind an Imam in an audible prayer, the recitation of the Imam suffices on behalf of the followers; therefore, in such a case, the follower should not recite independently. In all other situations, however, the recitation of Surah al-Fatihah remains obligatory.

Imam Abu Hanifah رحمه الله and Imam al-A‘zam رحمه الله also held a similar view; rather, they considered the Imam’s recitation sufficient on behalf of the followers even in silent prayers.

An Important Clarification

In this platform, the primary focus is upon the Qur’an and authentic Hadith—whether a matter aligns with a particular school or differs from it. Whatever conforms to the Qur’an and authentic Hadith is accepted; otherwise, no hesitation will be shown.

Although the opinions of various Imams have been mentioned, when an authentic Hadith is present, the opinion of any Imam is not given precedence over it. As reported from Imam Abu Hanifah رحمه الله: “If a statement of mine contradicts the Qur’an and Hadith, then strike my statement against the wall.”

However, where no authentic Hadith exists, scholarly interpretation (ijtihad) may be considered.

Numerous Hadith indicate that prayer is not valid without the recitation of Surah al-Fatihah; therefore, it should be recited in every prayer—whether the Imam recites aloud or silently. والله أعلم