The imaam pausing after reciting Soorah al-Faatihah

The imaam pausing after reciting Soorah al-Faatihah

Question: Is it legislated for the imaam to pause after reciting (Soorah) al-Faatihah so those behind him are able to recite (Soorah) al-Faatihah or not? (Please) provide us with a fatwa, (and may Allaah) reward you.

Response: That which is established from the Prophet (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam) are two pauses:

The first: After the takbeeratul-ihraam (the saying of Allaahu Akbar when beginning the prayer) so that he can recite the opening supplication and the ta’awwudth (the saying of A’oodthubillaahi min ash-Shaytaanir-Rajeem…) quietly before reciting (Soorah) al-Faatihah.

And the second: After he has finished reciting and just before going (down) into the rukoo’ position up until he returns to the standing position.

As for the imaam pausing after reciting (Soorah) al-Faatihah so that those praying behind him are able to recite (Soorah) al-Faatihah, then this has not been confirmed from the Prophet (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam), rather, some of the scholars have recommended it. However, one is not to be rebuked for doing so and (likewise) for not doing so. This is because it has been legislated for those praying behind the imaam to recite (Soorah) al-Faatihah and (likewise) it has been legislated for them to listen to the recitation of their imaam. So, in order to combine the two good (actions) some of the scholars have recommended this pause. And Allaah knows best.

Shaykh Saalih ibn Fowzaan
al-Muntaqaa min Fataawa Shaykh Saalih al-Fowzaan – Volume 3, Page 41, Fatwa No.54   fatwaonline.com