Q: What is the correct way to pray the Salats of Zuhr and Asr behind the Imam? Also, please, explain what is the correct way to perform the third Rak’ah of Maghrib and third and fourth Rak’ah of Isha behind the imam. Should a Muqtadi (person praying Jamaat behind Imam) recite Fatiha and Surah in the first two Rak’ahs of Asr and Zuhr and then recite Fatiha only in the last two Rak’ahs of Zuhr and Asr? Also should the Muqtadi recite Fatiha in the third Rak’ah of Maghrib and in third and fourth Rak’ah of Isha or should he stay quite? You I have to read inni and sana before surah fatiha in jamaat and in sunnat prayers shall I recite inni and sana? While performing prayer alone of maghrib what to recite in the third rakat?
A: In the posture of qiyaam, the muqtadi will not recite Surah Faatihah or a surah behind the imaam. He will only read the thanaa at the beginning of the first rakaat and thereafter remain silent. In the remaining postures, the muqtadi will read the various tasbeehs and du`aas. This applies to all the fardh salaahs performed behind the imaam.
The thana will be read when reading behind the imaam and when reading alone.
When reading the Maghrib Salaah alone you will only read Surah Faatihah in the third rakaat.
And Allah Ta’ala (الله تعالى) knows best.
Answered by:
Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)