Is delaying the recitation of Al-Fatiha due to obsessive doubts considered a legitimate excuse that permits delaying bowing with the Imam or catching up with him in prostration? Are these prayers valid, or must they be made up? And what should a person suffering from obsessive doubts do if the Imam bows before they complete Al-Fatiha?

Shafi'i jurists are of the view that a person afflicted with waswas (obsessive whispering) who lags two pillars behind the Imam is not excused. Rather, he must separate from the Imam if the Imam is about to complete the second pillar before the person with waswas finishes Al-Fatiha. The person with waswas may adopt the view of the majority of scholars who say that Al-Fatiha is not obligatory for the ma'mum (follower), or the view of those who hold that the ma'mum should follow the Imam if he bows, and Al-Fatiha is dropped for him due to an excuse, just as if he caught the Imam bowing. This is the choice of Sheikh Ibn 'Uthaymeen. As for the past prayers, there is no need to repeat them due to ignorance of the ruling.