What should I do if I am praying behind an imam and cannot finish reciting the Fatihah or the first tashahhud before the imam bows or stands up?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Oct 24, 2026
The predominant view is that the ma'mum (follower) may lag behind the imam (leader) to complete the Fatihah if the imam bows before the follower finishes it, and the follower is excused in this. Similarly, the predominant view is that the ma'mum should complete the first (testification) if the imam stands for the third unit of prayer before the ma'mum completes it, and then the ma'mum follows him. This is especially true if the first tashahhud is deemed obligatory, and lagging behind to complete it does not cause harm.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/118976
Where this answer came from
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- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 118976
- Added here
- . This is when the answer was added to El Fatwa, not the fatwa's date.
- Text
- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
- Read the full ruling
- Read the full answer on Ftawy