“Allāhu akbar.” Without this declaration the prayer cannot even begin. If a person forgets the takbīrat al-iḥrām—he comes, stands in the row, then, having forgotten it, starts to recite and completes the prayer—his prayer is invalid and has never even commenced, because the prayer only comes into effect with the opening takbīr. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said to the man he taught how to pray: “When you stand for the prayer, perfect your ablution, face the qiblah, and then pronounce the takbīr.” Thus the takbīr is indispensable, and the Prophet (peace be upon him) was constant in practicing it.

Another pillar is the recitation of Sūrat al-Fātiḥah. Reciting al-Fātiḥah is a pillar without which the prayer is invalid, as indicated by the Almighty’s words, “So recite whatever is easy for you of the Quran” (Sūrat al-Muzzammil, 20)—a clear command. The Prophet (peace be upon him) explained the unspecified phrase “whatever is easy” and showed that it means al-Fātiḥah, saying: “There is no prayer for the one who does not recite the Opening of the Book.” He also said: “Whoever performs a prayer in which he does not recite the Mother of the Quran, it is deficient,” meaning unsound and invalid.

Therefore, reciting al-Fātiḥah is a pillar for every worshipper—the imam, the follower, and the individual—because the revealed texts on the matter are universal and make no exception. When neither Allah nor His Messenger has made an exception, we are obliged to rule by that generality, for had there been any exception