Home » Hanafi Fiqh » Darulifta-Deoband.com » Is it compulsory to recite Quran behind the Imam?

Is it compulsory to recite Quran behind the Imam?

Answered as per Hanafi Fiqh by Darulifta-Deoband.com
My uncle told me that he has read in Bukhari Sharif in some Hadith that it is compulsory to recite Quran (Surah) behind the Imam also and started following the same. On discussing with him he asked me to show any Hadith in which it is told not to recite it. At the same time he said that he himself had read those Hadith so it is necessary for him to follow it otherwise he will be a sinner. I wish to ask what is the correct way, secondly how to convince my uncle regarding the same issue; and also where I would get those Hadith which my uncle wants to see. He has already asked it from a large number of Alim but no one is able to convince him.

Answer

(Fatwa: 1781/L=642/TL=1433)

(1) No hadith of Bukhari Sharif says ‘it is necessary to read fatiha behind the imam’. However, both types of traditions do exist i.e. to recite surah al-Fatiha or keep quiet behind the imam. Some Imams follow those traditions in which it is allowed to read fatiha behind imam. While Imam Abu Hanifa (رحمة الله عليه) follows the hadith in which it is forbidden to read surah al-Fatiha behind imam.
(2) Those verses and hadith which tell that reciting surah al-Fatiha is forbidden behind imam are as follows:
وَإِذَا قُرِئَ الْقُرْآنُ فَاسْتَمِعُواْ لَهُ وَأَنصِتُواْ . [الأعراف : 204]
Regarding this verse Hadhrat Abdullah ibn Abbas (رضى الله عنه) says that it was revealed for fardh salah.

Hadith: It is mentioned in Sahih Muslim that Hadhrat Abu Musa Asha’ri (رضى الله عنه) narrated that the holy Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said: keep quiet when the imam recites. [Muslim Hadith No. 404]
عن أبي موسى الأشعري رضى الله عنه أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم خطبنا فبين لنا سنتنا وعلمنا صلاتنا فقال: إذا صليتم فأقيموا صفوفكم ثم ليؤم أحدكم فإذا كبر فكبروا ، وإذا قرأ فأنصتوا .
أخرجه مسلم (الصلاة / التشهد في الصلاة 404) وصححه وأخرجه أحمد (4/415) وأبوداؤد (الصلاة / التشهد 973)
There are many other hadith for which can be seen in books.
(4) You cannot make your uncle believe it, but you can show him these proofs, it is only Allah Who can make oneself believe.

Allah (Subhana Wa Ta’ala) knows Best

Darul Ifta,
Darul Uloom Deoband

This answer was collected from the official ifta website of Darul Uloom Deoband in India.

Read answers with similar topics: