Answer: The scholars have differed regarding the ruling on the follower’s recitation of al-Fatiha.

1. Some hold that it is obligatory and may never be left out; therefore the follower must recite al-Fatiha behind the imam in every circumstance.

2. Others say that the imam’s recitation suffices, yet it is recommended for the follower to recite during the imam’s brief pauses and in the silent prayers.

3. A third view obligates the follower to recite al-Fatiha in the silent prayers only, not in the audible prayers, citing the verse: “When the Qur’an is recited, listen to it attentively and be silent so that you may be shown mercy” (al-A‘raf 7:204).

In my estimation, this last opinion is the strongest, for it reconciles all the evidences: the reports that require the follower to recite apply to the silent prayers, while the texts that drop the obligation apply to the audible prayers, supported by the same verse and by the Prophet’s ﷺ statement, “Whoever has an imam, the imam’s recitation counts as his.”

In any case, whenever the follower is able to recite al-Fatiha during the imam’s pauses, he should do so.

If he cannot, and the imam is reciting aloud, he should listen, for if he were to recite while the imam is reciting it would cause confusion, his own recitation would be unfocused, and it would impose undue difficulty.