Explanation of the hadith
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).
The prayer of the one who did not recite the Opening of the Book (Surat al-Fātihah) is invalid
AuthenticAgreed uponHadeethEnc #5378
عَنْ عُبَادَةَ بْنِ الصَّامِتِ رضي الله عنه أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ:
عَنْ عُبَادَةَ بْنِ الصَّامِتِ رضي الله عنه أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ: «لَا صَلَاةَ لِمَنْ لَمْ يَقْرَأْ بِفَاتِحَةِ الكِتَابِ».
English 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:
‘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."
Benefits from the hadith
- 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.
Pillars of Prayer