Is it obligatory for the congregant to hasten the recitation of Al-Fatiha in the silent prayers to complete it before the Imam bows, or should he recite it deliberately? And what should he do if he is unable to complete it due to the Imam's haste? And is it obligatory for the congregant to recite Al-Fatiha if he joins while the Imam is reciting another surah?

Scholars have differed regarding the obligation of reciting Al-Fatihah for the congregant (ma'mum). The preponderant opinion is that it is obligatory in both audible and silent prayers, based on the Prophet's (peace be upon him) saying: "There is no prayer for one who does not recite it."

The congregant recites it after their Imam or during the Imam's pauses. They must hasten its recitation unless the Imam precedes them by three intended pillars. If the Imam rises from the second prostration, the congregant must abandon Al-Fatihah and follow him, then make up a rak'ah after the salutations, or separate from him and complete their prayer individually; otherwise, their prayer becomes invalid.

If the congregant joins the Imam while he is reciting a surah after Al-Fatihah, they must immediately begin reciting Al-Fatihah without the opening supplication (Istiftah) or seeking refuge (Isti'adhah), unless they are predominantly certain that they will catch up with them and complete Al-Fatihah before the Imam bows. If the Imam bows before the congregant completes Al-Fatihah, the correct view is that if the congregant did not recite the opening supplication or seek refuge, they should bow, and the remainder of Al-Fatihah is dropped for them. However, if they recited anything of that, they must recite what remains of Al-Fatihah for the duration they spent on it.