Fatihah behind the Imam

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ

In the Name of Allah Most Merciful Most Kind

Short Answer

Hanafis do not recite Fatihah behind the Imam because the Prophet ﷺ informed us that the Imams recital is sufficient for the follower. Also, the Holy Quran commanded us to listen when it is being recited.

Explanation

وَإِذَا قُرِئَ الْقُرْآنُ فَاسْتَمِعُوا لَهُ وَأَنْصِتُوا لَعَلَّكُمْ تُرْحَمُونَ

When the Quran is recited, listen to it, and remain attentive. So that you attain (divine) Mercy. (Surah al-Araaf, 204).

In the noble verse of the Holy Quran above, Allah (Most High) commands us to listen to the Quran when it is recited. That is why Hanafis do not recite Fatihah behind the Imam. Since, reciting would contradict the command of listening to the Imams recital.

Even whispered prayers

Some people contest that there is no proof in the verse above for the Hanafi position of not reciting during whispered prayers. For example, Dhur and Asr prayers. However, Hanafis responded by saying there are two commands in the verse. Namely, فَاسْتَمِعُوا (meaning, listen) and وَأَنْصِتُوا (meaning, remain attentive). The first command is relevant to loud prayers like, Maghrib and Isha. Whilst the second is regarding whispered prayers.

Hadith evidence

As well as the proof from the verse above, Hanafis cite Hadith evidence. The following Hadith is a clear proof for the Hanafi position that a follower does not recite Fatihah behind the Imam.

In the following authentic Hadith, the Prophet ﷺ is unequivocally informing us that the Imams recital is sufficient for the follower. Therefore, there is no requirement for the follower to recite too. Thus, the follower abides by the Quranic injunction to listen and remain attentive.

عَنْ جَابِرٍ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ: كَلُّ مَنْ كَانَ لَهُ إِمَامٌ فَقِرَاءَتُهُ لَهُ قِرَاءَةٌ

(Sayidina) Jabir narrated that the Prophet ﷺ said: Everyone who has an Imam, his recitation is recitation for him. (Musanaf Ibn Abi Shaybah, 3802).

كل من كان له إمام فقراءته له قراءة هذا سند صحيح. (شرح سنن أبي داود)

Everyone who has an Imam, his recitation is recitation for him. This is an authentic chain of transmission (Sanad). (Imam Badr al-Deen al-Ayni 855H, Sharh Sunan Abi Dawood).  

There is another narration in Musanaf Ibn Abi Shaybah (3779) with similar wording. However, that could be a Mursal narration. Meaning the authenticity is more contested. Therefore, the above narration has been prefered.

Sahabah

The issue of reciting Fatihah behind the Imam is differed over. The Hanafis maintain that it is sinful (Makruh Tahreemi) to do so. Since, it contradicts the instruction of the Holy Quran. However, Imams of other Madhabs differ regarding this issue. Such difference must be respected.

When we find such differences amongst the Madhabs of Ahl al-Sunnah, we are likely to find Sahabah on both sides. In the narration below, we find the great companion and Quran expert, Sayidina Zayd bin Thabit taking the position that one is not to recite behind the Imam.

عَنْ عَطَاءِ بْنِ يَسَارٍ، أَنَّهُ أَخْبَرَهُ أَنَّهُ سَأَلَ زَيْدَ بْنَ ثَابِتٍ عَنِ الْقِرَاءَةِ مَعَ الْإِمَامِ، فَقَالَ: لَا، قِرَاءَةَ مَعَ الْإِمَامِ فِي شَيْءٍ

Ata’ bin Yassar narrated that he asked Zayd bin Thabit about reading with the Imam. He said: There is no reading with the Imam in anything. (Sahih Muslim, 577-106).

Conclusion

Hanafis do not recite Fatihah behind the Imam due to clear evidence from Quran and Sunnah. The Shafis differ with us on this issue. Such difference must be respected. It is a trait of Sunni Muslims to respect valid differences. This is one of the main reasons Sunnis have always been the majority.

However, this characteristic of Sunni Islam is under threat due to the prevalence of groups masquerading as Sunnis but reject all opinions except their own. They have caused widespread confusion and division. Muslims must study traditional Islam to be safeguarded from such distortions.

And Allah Most High Knows Best.

–Answered by Shaykh Noorud-deen Rashid (24.12.24)