He was asked about “reciting behind the imam.”

He replied:

Praise be to Allah. The scholars have differed and their views have varied on this matter, despite the widespread need for guidance on it.

There are three principal views: two opposing positions and a middle one. The first is that one does not recite behind the imam under any circumstances. The second is that one recites behind the imam in all circumstances.

The third, which is the view of most of the early Muslims, is that when one hears the imam’s recitation, one listens attentively and does not recite, for listening to the imam’s recitation is better than reciting oneself. When one does not hear his recitation, one recites independently, for reciting is better than remaining silent. Thus, listening to the imam’s recitation is better than reciting, and reciting is better than remaining silent.

This is the view of the majority of scholars, including Mālik, Ahmad ibn Hanbal, most of their followers, and a group of the followers of al-Shāfi'ī and Abū Hanīfah. It is also al-Shāfi'ī’s earlier view and the view of Muhammad ibn al-Hasan.