What are the questions regarding the Prophet Muhammad's (peace be upon him) hadith: "Perhaps you are reading behind your Imam?" They said: "Yes." He said: "Do not do so, except with the Fatihat al-Kitab; for there is no prayer for one who does not recite it"?

The scholars who did not adopt the Hadith of 'Ubadah regarding the recitation of Al-Fatihah behind the Imam did not abandon it frivolously. Rather, they had their proofs and reasons for their differing opinions, such as the weakness of the Hadith's chain of narration according to some, or its abrogation by the verse, "And when the Qur'an is recited, then listen to it and pay attention," or interpreting it as achieving virtue rather than obligation, or the existence of other Ahadith that prohibit recitation absolutely, such as the Hadith, "Whoever has an Imam, then the Imam's recitation is his recitation."

We issue a fatwa (religious edict) that it is obligatory for the follower (ma'mum) to recite Al-Fatihah, and we excuse the differing Imams, for they are mujtahids (those who exercise independent reasoning). Silence after Al-Fatihah is not legislated due to the absence of any proof for it. If the follower is unable to recite Al-Fatihah during the Imam's pauses, he should recite it after the Imam finishes reciting Al-Fatihah, or he should recite it silently even if the Imam is reciting, and then listen attentively, as mentioned by Ibn 'Uthaymeen and Ibn Baz.