Answered by Shaykh Hamza Karamali, SunniPath Academy Teacher
When the imam pauses after reciting the Fatiha to allow the follower to recite his own Fatiha, should he remain silent, or should he be reciting something to himself?
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful and Compassionate
The imam may either (a) remain silent and not recite anything, or (b) recite some form of dhikr silently to himself while he is waiting (e.g. suhbanallah walhamdulillah wa la ilaha illa allah wallahu akbar), or (c) recite a portion of Quran silently to himself while he is waiting. All three of these options are acceptable, although the best is to recite a portion of Quran. [Bushra al-Karim]
And Allah Most High knows best.
Hamza.