Is a rak'ah counted for whoever catches the Imam while bowing and has not recited Al-Fatihah, and what should one do who is unable to complete Al-Fatihah before the Imam bows?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
Reciting Al-Fatiha is a pillar of prayer for the Imam, the congregant (ma'mum), and the one praying alone, based on the Prophet's (peace be upon him) saying: "There is no prayer for one who does not recite the Opening of the Book (Al-Fatiha)."
However, Al-Fatiha is waived for the congregant (ma'mum) in two cases: 1. If he catches the Imam in rukoo' (bowing), he bows with him, and the rak'ah (prayer unit) is counted for him. 2. If he joins the Imam just before rukoo' and is unable to complete Al-Fatiha, he bows with him, and the rak'ah is counted for him.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/11869
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- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 11869
- 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.
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- Read the full answer on Ftawy