Q 7: Should the Imam (the one who leads congregational Prayer) pause after reciting Surah Al-Fatihah? What is the ruling on the Ma'mum (a person led by an Imam in Prayer) who does not recite Al-Fatihah while following the Imam?

A: It was narrated by Abu Dawud and Ibn Majah on the authority of Samurah ibn Jundub (may Allah be pleased with him) that he said that he remembered two pauses from the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him); a pause when he uttered the Takbir (i.e. initiating prayer saying, 'Allah is Great') and the other when he finished reciting: ...not (the way) of those who earned Your Anger (i.e. those who knew the Truth, but did not follow it) nor of those who went astray (i.e. those who did not follow the Truth out of ignorance and error). But `Imran rejected it. Then, they wrote about the matter to Ubay ibn Ka`b who wrote a letter to them, replying that Samurah had remembered correctly. Accordingly, making these two pauses (Part No. 6; Page No. 413) is permissible.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.