Most-asked question
Should the follower recite Surah Fatiha behind the imam?
86 fatawa in the archive answer questions on this, from 5 South African Darul Iftas (AskImam, Mufti Online, Azaadville, Jamiat KZN, DU Newcastle). Below, each Darul Ifta’s answer is quoted word for word from the opening of one of its fatawa.
Based on the fatawa linked below. Please read the sources and double-check with a Darul Ifta for your situation.
Consult a mufti for your situation. Fatawa SA is a read-only archive and issues no rulings of its own.
What the Darul Iftas say
“According to Ahnaaf, it is not permissible for a muqtadi to recite [silently or audibly] along with the imam during Taraweeh.”
“According to the Hanafi Mazhab, it is not permissible for the Muqtadi to recite Surah Fatihah or any Surah behind the Imaam. When the Muqtadi is in Qiyâm (standing position in Salât), he should not read anything except the Thanâ (Subhaanakalllahumma wa bi hamdika…).”
“Indeed, what you are doing behind the Imaam as an adherent of the Hanafi Madhab (of not reciting Surah Fatiha or any Surah) is correct. According to the Hanafi Madhab, a Muqtadi (a person following the Imaam in Salaah) in all five Salaahs, under all circumstances-be it in the audible Salaah (i.e.”
“In the posture of qiyaam, the muqtadi will not recite Surah Faatihah or a surah behind the imaam. He will only read the thanaa at the beginning of the first rakaat and thereafter remain silent. In the remaining postures, the muqtadi will read the various tasbeehs and du`aas.”
Quotes are the opening words of each answer as published; the full answer, its conditions and references are on the fatwa page. Answers depend on the exact details of each question.
Read the fatawa
- A Masbooq Reciting Durood In The Last Qa’dah Behind The Imaam Azaadville · 19 Apr 2026
- Reciting the Quraan Shareef on a phone while sitting behind a person Mufti Online · 27 Feb 2023
- Performing Sajdah Sahw behind the Imam AskImam · 25 Aug 2022
- Recitation Behind The Imaam DU Newcastle · 6 Oct 2018
- Qiraat behind the imam? Jamiat KZN · 8 Sep 2015
- The Ruling On Hearing A Sajdah Tilaawat Which Was Recited In A Salaah You Were Not Yet A Muqtadi In Azaadville · 28 Nov 2023
- Reciting behind the Imaam Mufti Online · 20 Oct 2016
- Silently reciting with the Imam during Tarawih prayers AskImam · 12 May 2021
- Reciting Surah Fatihah Behind An Imam Azaadville · 5 Aug 2021
- Should the Muqtadi recite qiraat behind the Imaam? Mufti Online · 30 Dec 2015
- Why does the Hanafi Madhab disallow reciting Quran Shareef behind the Imam? AskImam · 19 Dec 2019
- Reciting Surah Faatihah And A Surah Behind The Imaam Azaadville · 10 Jul 2021
- Muqtadi reciting Surah Faatihah behind the imaam Mufti Online · 6 Sep 2023
- Should one recite sura fatiha behind an imaam? AskImam · 16 Feb 2019
- Reciting Surah Faatihah behind the imaam Mufti Online · 11 Nov 2018
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