Should I Repeat Past Congregational Prayers for Omitting the Fatiha?

Answered by Shaykh Irshaad Sedick

Question

I have recently discovered that it is mandatory to recite Fatiha in silent congregation as a follower. I swore to Allah (Most High) to pray every Prayer as long as I live. Now that I realised those prayers were invalid, do I have to fast for three days, or does ignorance excuse this?

Answer

In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate. May Allah alleviate our difficulties and guide us to what pleases Him. Amin.

The Shafi‘i and Hanafi Schools differ in the ruling of the follower reciting the Fatiha behind the Imam in congregational prayers.

The Shafi‘i School holds that the follower’s recitation is obligatory [Nawawi, al-Minhaj]. The Hanafi School considers it prohibitively disliked and sinful for the follower to recite the Fatiha behind the Imam [Shurunbulali, Nur al-Idah].

Given that you were unaware of the ruling, you may consider your past prayers valid per the Hanafi view, and therefore, you do not have to make up those prayers, nor did you break your oath. However, from now on, it is essential to adhere to one of the four Sunni schools of thought to ensure the correctness of your worship. You should follow either the Hanafi or Shafi‘i School to avoid the risk of invalidating your prayers. Allah knows best.

I pray this is of benefit and that Allah guides us all.

[Shaykh] Irshaad Sedick
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Abu Bakr Badhib

Shaykh Irshaad Sedick was raised in South Africa in a traditional Muslim family. He graduated from Dar al-Ulum al-Arabiyyah al-Islamiyyah in Strand, Western Cape, under the guidance of the late world-renowned scholar Shaykh Taha Karaan.

Shaykh Irshaad received Ijaza from many luminaries of the Islamic world, including Shaykh Taha Karaan, Mawlana Yusuf Karaan, and Mawlana Abdul Hafeez Makki, among others.

He is the author of the text “The Musnad of Ahmad ibn Hanbal: A Hujjah or not?” He has served as the Director of the Discover Islam Centre and Al Jeem Foundation. For the last five years till present, he has served as the Khatib of Masjid Ar-Rashideen, Mowbray, Cape Town.

Shaykh Irshaad has thirteen years of teaching experience at some of the leading Islamic institutes in Cape Town). He is currently building an Islamic online learning and media platform called ‘Isnad Academy’ and has completed his Master’s degree in the study of Islam at the University of Johannesburg. He has a keen interest in healthy living and fitness.