Answered by Sidi Moustafa Elqabbany
I am praying behind a Hanafi Imam who doesn’t give time to Fatiha, when should I try to read my fatiha? Is it while he is reciting his own fatiha or when he is reciting the surah? What if this is extremely confusing for me to read while he is reading?
Also, do I have to read the fatiha if I join the prayer while the Imam reads the small Surah?
What shaffi fiqh Arabic books can I read which have enough details in them (I want something having as many masa’l as possible and as many questions, answers types of books).
The following message addresses some of your concerns:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/shafii/message/245
If you recite the fatiha at the same time or even before your imam, your prayer is valid. If you have time, then it is best to wait for him to finish his fatiha before you begin yours.
Regarding your confusion, do your best. If there’s no way for you to deal with it, then learn the Hanafi school are pray according to it.
No fiqh book can ever be a substitute for a qualified fiqh teacher. Having said that, reading a good book is better than nothing.
For Arabic texts, Sidi Mostafa Azzam recommends At-Taqrirat As-Sadidah (التقريرات السديدة) and Anwar Al-Masalik (أنوار المسالك). At-Taqrirat is exceptionally clear in its presentation.