Egypt’s Dar Al-Ifta received several questions concerning prayer rulings, including whether it is permissible to recite aloud during Sunnah and voluntary prayers and whether a person praying behind an imam should recite Surah Al-Fatihah during audible prayers.
Dr. Ahmed Mamdouh, Secretary of Fatwa at Dar Al-Ifta, explained that the manner of silent and audible recitation in obligatory prayers is connected to their prescribed times. Daytime prayers are generally performed with silent recitation, while nighttime prayers are performed with audible recitation.
Is It Permissible to Recite Aloud in Sunnah Prayers?
The Secretary of Fatwa explained that there is no text establishing audible recitation in Sunnah and voluntary prayers in the same manner prescribed for certain obligatory prayers.
However, he emphasized that if a person recites aloud during a Sunnah or voluntary prayer, this does not mean that the worshipper has committed something prohibited.
Accordingly, the validity of voluntary prayers is not restricted to silent recitation, and audible recitation in such prayers is not considered prohibited according to the explanation provided by Dar Al-Ifta.
Reciting Al-Fatihah Behind the Imam in an Audible Prayer
In another question, Sheikh Awaida Othman, Secretary of Fatwa at Dar Al-Ifta, addressed whether a worshipper should recite Surah Al-Fatihah behind the imam during an audible prayer.
He explained that the imam may pause briefly after completing Al-Fatihah, giving the worshipper an opportunity to recite it. However, this pause has not been established as a pause specifically intended to allow worshippers to complete their recitation.
He noted that the pause may simply be connected to stopping at the end of verses rather than waiting for those praying behind the imam to finish Al-Fatihah.
Should the Imam Wait for the Worshipper to Recite Al-Fatihah?
The Secretary of Fatwa stated that the imam is not required to wait for the worshipper to finish reciting Al-Fatihah, and waiting specifically for this purpose is not considered part of the Sunnah.
He explained that the basic principle in an audible prayer is for the worshipper to listen to the imam’s recitation, while acknowledging that scholars have a recognized jurisprudential disagreement concerning the recitation of Al-Fatihah in this situation.
What Should the Worshipper Do If the Imam Pauses for a Long Time?
If the imam pauses for an extended period and the worshipper begins reciting Al-Fatihah, some scholars have held that the worshipper may complete the recitation.
Other scholars have held that the worshipper should stop reciting and listen to the imam.
The Secretary of Fatwa emphasized that this is a recognized matter of jurisprudential disagreement among scholars. Therefore, adherents of one view should not criticize those who follow another view, as each position has its own legal basis.
The Jurisprudential Difference Over Reciting Al-Fatihah Behind the Imam
The question of whether a worshipper should recite Al-Fatihah during an audible prayer is among the issues over which recognized jurisprudential disagreement exists.
According to the explanation provided by Dar Al-Ifta, this difference should be approached without unnecessary criticism of those who follow another scholarly opinion, since the different positions are based on their respective jurisprudential reasoning.
Is it permissible to recite aloud during Sunnah prayers?
Yes. According to the explanation provided by Dar Al-Ifta, reciting aloud during a Sunnah or voluntary prayer is not prohibited, although no text establishes it in the same manner as certain obligatory prayers.
Must the imam wait for the worshipper to recite Al-Fatihah?
No. The imam is not required to wait for the worshipper to finish Al-Fatihah, and such waiting is not considered part of the Sunnah.
Should the worshipper recite Al-Fatihah behind the imam during an audible prayer?
This is a matter of recognized jurisprudential disagreement, with different scholarly views on the issue.
What should a worshipper do if they begin Al-Fatihah during a long pause by the imam?
Some scholars allow the worshipper to complete Al-Fatihah, while others hold that the worshipper should stop and listen to the imam.
Is the disagreement over Al-Fatihah behind the imam a recognized jurisprudential issue?
Yes. The Secretary of Fatwa described it as a recognized matter of scholarly disagreement, with each position having its own jurisprudential basis.**
