Back to search

What is the ruling on the prayer of one who completed the recitation of Al-Fatiha and the Imam bowed before the worshiper could listen to the Surah from the Imam, according to the Shafi'i school of thought?

1 min readAlso available in العربية

According to the Shafi'is, it is obligatory for the ma'mum (follower) to recite Surat Al-Fatihah, based on the hadith: "Do not do so, except with the Opening of the Book (Fatihat al-Kitab), for there is no prayer for one who does not recite it." If the Imam bows after the ma'mum has completed Al-Fatihah, and the ma'mum is unable to hear the (subsequent) surah, there is no blame upon him. He is required to listen to the recitation after Al-Fatihah if possible.

Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026

Read the full answer on Ftawy