Is it permissible for the Imam to make Dhikr or supplication in his silence after the recitation of Al-Faatihah?
Fatwa No: 473839

Question

Assalamu alikumAllah azzavajjal may accept your dawat.Sir I have a question that in our Majid our imam reciting some thing in sala after fathiha Sura and before regular Sura ..is it an innovation..or give me an authentic reference for the sameJazZakalla

Answer

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu`alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.

Some scholars believe that it is permissible for the Imam to fall silent after the recitation of Al-Faatihah in prayers with audible recitation so that people led by him could recite it. During this silence, it is allowed for the Imam to engage in mentioning Dhikr of Allah, the Almighty, or making supplications. Some other scholars are of the opinion that it is permissible for him to say the “Opening Duʿaa’” that is usually observed after Takbeeratu Al-Ihraam and before starting recitation. So, the ruling on that point is based on ease. In Al-Majmooʿ, Imam An-Nawawi said, “Our companions said, 'It is recommended for the Imam – according to this opinion – to fall silent after the recitation of Al-Faatihah as per the time those led by him could read it.' In Al-Amaali, As-Sarkhasi said, 'It is recommended for the Imam to make supplication during this period of silence with the "The Opening Duʿaa’" recorded in the Hadeeth narrated by Abu Hurayrah 'O Allah, separate me from my sins …' (I said) the chosen opinion for making Dhikr, supplication, and recitation is to do that all in silence. This is evidenced by the fact that the Imam in payer is not obliged to have any silence. This point may also be analogically deducted from his recitation in Salatu Al-Khawf (i.e., Prayer at times of Fear). However, it is not prohibited to call it "silence" even if he makes Dhikr in it, exactly as is the case in the period of silence made after Takbeeratu Al-Ihraam. Besides, it is considered some kind of silence in light of the audible recitation before and after it.

Allah knows best.

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