Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
I follow hanafi fiqh in salah. can I follow hanafi fiqh in salah and wudu, except in the following issues: a. read in secret prayers behind the imam. b. do sujud sahw like the shafi3i way. please answer the two points as 2 different questions, and then both as one question. I would like to note that the reason I would like to read behind the imam isn’t following hawwa, but because I am more concentrated when I read behind the imam.
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful and Compassionate. May His blessings and peace be on His Beloved Prophet, the best of creation, and his family, companions, and followers
Walaikum assalam wa rahmatullah,
1. Reciting behind the imam is prohibitively disliked in the Hanafi school. Please go to www.SunniPath.com, and search for reciting behind the imam’ for details
The alternative is simple: read’ the Fatiha in your mind without reciting’ it with your tongue; or think of its meanings; or simply bring to mind the Tremendousness and Majesty of Allah, and stand before Him with a sense of reverential awe (khushu`). [Abu’l Baqa’ al-Qurashi, al-Diya’ al-Ma`nawi Sharh Muqaddimat al-Ghaznawi]
2. The place for forgetfulness prostrations is after giving one salam, and then repeating the tashahhud and sending blessings of the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace). Making the prostrations before the salams is improper but valid, if one still repeats the tashahhud and sending blessings of the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) after prostrations. [Shurunbulali, Maraqi]
3. Laughing aloud in prayer invalidates one’s wudu and prayer. [ibid.]
Wassalam,
Faraz Rabbani