The strongest opinion regarding reciting Al-Fatiha behind the imam in audible prayers.

Behind the imam, excuse me. Yes, regarding reciting behind the imam in audible prayer, we say the issue is disputed and scholars have differed on it.

The summary of the opinions is that there are three views, and the majority of scholars said that one does not recite behind the imam in audible prayer, and this is the strongest opinion, and this is what was chosen by

a group of scholars such as Malik, Abu Hanifa, and Imam Ahmad, may Allah have mercy on him.

And this is apparent from the saying of the Prophet, peace be upon him, as reported in Sahih Muslim, that the Prophet ﷺ said

The imam is appointed to be followed, so when he says the takbir, say the takbir, and when he recites, listen attentively. So the Prophet, peace be upon him, commanded listening attentively.

Likewise, the majority of the sahaba and most of them acted upon the view that during the audible prayer behind the imam, one must remain silent.

Some scholars have reported consensus based on the saying of Allah, Verheven en Hoog is Hij: When the Quran is recited, listen to it and remain silent so that you may receive mercy.

That this was revealed regarding the prayer, and it is the reason for its revelation.

Imam Ahmad, may Allah be pleased with him, mentioned this, and he stated that it is not reported from any of the early generations that leaving the recitation in the audible prayer behind the imam invalidates the prayer.

Yes, in some narrations there is an order to recite, but regarding invalidation, there is discussion.

Rarely is this reported from anyone except that there is also a statement from him or his companions that contradicts this view, and this is the stronger opinion.

In the audible prayers, one does not recite, based on the previous texts and narrations, and also from the reasoning that if the imam is reciting aloud and the lawgiver encouraged him to do so.

Then who is supposed to recite if the follower is reciting along with him? This one recites and that one recites, so what is the point of reciting aloud? Otherwise, it would be more appropriate to listen attentively.

So we say at that point that the correct view is that a person recites. Yes, it is narrated from some of the early imams that they encouraged recitation in prayer, and it is also narrated from them the opposite.

This is reported from Mu'adh ibn Jabal and Abu Huraira, and it is also narrated from Umar ibn al-Khattab, may Allah be pleased with him.

There is an opinion that recitation in the audible prayer is obligatory, and a group of jurists from the Shafi'is say this, and there is an opinion that it is recommended but not obligatory, and this is the view of al-Awza'i.

So the summary of these opinions and the most correct among them is that the follower does not recite behind the imam in the audible prayer, and the imam carries that responsibility for him. As for the silent prayer.

Or two rak'ahs, or a third rak'ah in Maghrib prayer, or also in the silent prayers of Asr and Dhuhr, or in the voluntary prayers that he performs.

When a person prays with others in voluntary prayers without reciting aloud, then we say that he should recite.

But the imam recites and the follower recites, but if the imam recites aloud and the follower hears him,

then he should listen attentively to him. This is what the evidence supports, and this is what appears to be correct, and this is the view adopted by

a group of scholars, may Allah have mercy on them, such as Ibn Taymiyya, Ibn al-Qayyim, and others. And Allah knows best.