What is the ruling on someone who prays behind the Imam, but cannot complete Al-Fatiha before the Imam bows due to a speech impediment? Should he bow with the Imam or pray alone at home?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
Congregational prayer is an individual obligation, and it is not permissible to abandon it except for a valid excuse. Your slow recitation is not an excuse; rather, it is obligatory to attend the congregational prayer and to quicken your recitation. If the Imam bows before you complete Al-Fatiha, continue reciting it until you finish it, and this is an excuse that permits you to fall behind the Imam.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/99247
Where this answer came from
- Source platform
- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 99247
- 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