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Is it permissible to recite Al-Fatiha silently by mistake in the first rak'ah of Maghrib prayer, then repeat it aloud, and perform two prostrations of forgetfulness after the tasleem?

1 min readAlso available in العربية

Your prayer is valid, and there is no blame upon you. Reciting Al-Fatiha is a pillar (rukn), and reciting aloud is a sunnah according to the majority of scholars, and obligatory for the Imam according to the Hanafis. Repeating Al-Fatiha to perform the sunnah of reciting aloud is correct. Regarding prostration of forgetfulness (sujud as-sahw) for this, there is a difference of opinion, and it is for recommendation (istihbab). Repeating Al-Fatiha does not invalidate the prayer, because it is a verbal pillar. Reciting aloud in a place where one should recite silently, or vice-versa, does not invalidate the prayer, nor does it require prostration of forgetfulness according to the Shafi'is, Al-Awza'i, and Ahmad. However, Malik, Ath-Thawri, Abu Hanifa, and Ishaq deem it obligatory.

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

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