the imam’s takbir. Thus, the meaning of his statement, “When the imam says ‘Amin,’” would be: when he has finished saying Amin. However, this view is weak, because another wording explicitly states: “When the imam says, ‘nor of those who go astray,’ then say, ‘Amin.’” (1)

Accordingly, the meaning is: when he says Amin—that is, when he reaches that to which Amin is said, namely, “nor of those who go astray”—or when he begins to say Amin, then say Amin so that you may say it along with him. Yet, at times we hear some members of the congregation rushing ahead: the imam has scarcely reached the letter nun in “nor of those who go astray” before they say, “Amin.” This is contrary to the sunnah and is a form of preceding the imam, for the imam has not yet reached the point at which Amin is to be said: namely, when he has finished saying, “nor of those who go astray.”

Issue: The author, may Allah have mercy on him, did not state explicitly here whether one who does not know al-Fatihah is required to learn it.

The answer is: Yes, he is required to learn it, because reciting it is obligatory, and whatever is necessary to fulfil an obligation is itself obligatory. This is like someone who has no water: he must seek it and purchase it, if it is being sold, in order to perform ablution or a ritual bath with it, because whatever is necessary to fulfil an obligation is itself obligatory. This does not fall under the principle of that without which an obligation itself does not become binding, for the obligation of al-Fatihah is already established. He must therefore learn this surah. If time is too short, he should recite whatever else of the Quran is easy for him, due to the general meaning of the Prophet’s statement, peace and blessings be upon him: “Recite whatever is easy for you of the Quran.” (2) If he does not know any Quran, then he should recite words of glorification, saying: “Glory be to Allah, praise be to Allah, there is no god but Allah, and Allah…”