Why does Fatwa No. 96963 not resolve the disagreement regarding the obligation of a worshipper (ma'mum) reciting Al-Fatiha, especially if the worshipper joins the Imam during the recitation before bowing, despite it stating that the Imam bears the responsibility of the recitation?
If a worshipper joins the Imam while he is bowing, then he has caught the rak'ah, and the recitation of Al-Fatiha is waived for him. This is not an issue or a contradiction, even for those who say that it is obligatory to recite Al-Fatiha behind the Imam. This is because the general proofs for the obligation of reciting Al-Fatiha are specified by a particular proof for one who joins the Imam in rukoo' (bowing), and because the worshipper did not catch the standing position, which is the place for recitation.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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