The prayer of the one who did not recite the Opening of the Book (Surat al-Fātihah) is invalid

Arabic text

عَنْ عُبَادَةَ بْنِ الصَّامِتِ رضي الله عنه أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ: «لَا صَلَاةَ لِمَنْ لَمْ يَقْرَأْ بِفَاتِحَةِ الكِتَابِ».

Translation

‘Ubādah ibn as-Sāmit (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "The prayer of the one who did not recite the Opening of the Book (Surat al-Fātihah) is invalid."

Explanation

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).

Benefits

• 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.

Topics

• Jurisprudence and Juristic Principles
• Jurisprudence of Acts of Worship
• Prayer
• Pillars of Prayer