The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) clarified that the prayer is invalid without reciting Surat al-Fātihah, which is one of the pillars of prayer in every Rak‘ah (unit of prayer).

• Reciting any Surah instead of Surat al-Fātihah, despite the ability to recite it, is insufficient.
• The Rak‘ah in which Surat al-Fātihah is not recited, whether intentionally, ignorantly, or forgetfully, is invalid because it is a pillar and pillars never cease to be due.
• The one led in prayer is exempted from reciting Surat al-Fātihah if he catches up with the prayer while the Imam is in the state of bowing.

1. Home
2. Jurisprudence and Juristic Principles
3. Jurisprudence of Acts of Worship
4. Prayer
5. Pillars of Prayer
6. Hadith

• The worst of thieves among people is the one who steals his prayer." He said: "How does he steal his prayer?" He said: "He does not perform its Rukū‘ or prostration perfectly
• Perhaps you recite behind your Imām? We said: Yes, that is so, O Messenger of Allah. He said: Do not do so except with Sūrat al-Fātihah, since the prayer is invalid for the one who does not recite it