What must the Imam and the congregants do if the Imam deliberately stands for a fifth Rak'ah in the Dhuhr prayer, claiming that he did not recite Al-Fatihah in one of the Rak'ahs?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
If the Imam forgets the Fatiha in a rak'ah, that rak'ah is not counted, and he must perform another one, because the Fatiha is a pillar (rukn) according to the majority of scholars. As for the congregant (ma'mum), he should not follow the Imam if the latter stands for a fifth rak'ah. Instead, he should sit for the and wait to make the salutation with the Imam, because the congregant's prayer is already complete.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/104593
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- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 104593
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- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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- Read the full answer on Ftawy