He was asked:

Is it permissible for someone following an imam to recite behind him? If he does recite behind the imam, does he incur any sin?

He replied:

Reciting behind the imam does not invalidate the prayer according to the imams—may Allah be pleased with them. However, the scholars disagreed over which course is better for the follower.

The position of Mālik, al-Shāfi'ī and Ahmad is that it is better for him to recite when the imam is silent, as in the Zuhr and 'Asr prayers and the last two rak'ahs of Maghrib and 'Ishā'. Likewise, he should recite during prayers in which the imam recites aloud if he cannot hear his recitation.

The position of Abū Hanīfah is that it is better not to recite behind him under any circumstances. Among the early generations of Companions and Successors—may Allah be pleased with them—some would recite behind the imam and others would not.

When the follower can hear the imam’s recitation, however, the majority of scholars hold that he should listen and not recite at all. This is the position of Abū Hanīfah, Mālik, Ahmad and others. Al-Shāfi'ī’s position is that he should recite al-Fātihah alone while the imam recites aloud. The position of