Q&A: The Validity of Prayer with Mistakes Made in Al-Fatihah

Question

Is the prayer accepted if there is/are mistakes that occur during the recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah?

Answer

Surah Al-Fatihah is one of the most essential components of any Solat, one performs. This is simply because, it has to be recited in every single Raka’ah.

In addition to that, The Prophet Muhammad, salla Allahu ‘alaihi wasallam, has said in an authentic Hadeeth:

“There’s no prayer (Solat) for the one, who did not read Surah Al-Fatihah.”

On this basis, scholars have concluded, that anything that may make Surah Al-Fatihah incomplete invalidates the Soalt. Such as making mistakes while reciting the Surah. Such mistakes can be pronouncing its letters differently and making silent letters active or vice versa. For example, replacing س with ش or س with ص. Replacing ض with ظ and others

If one is not perfect in his Al-Fatihah recitation, he may pray for himself, while he learns to master the Surah. But until he masters the Surah, he shouldn’t lead congregation in Solat.

When it’s said, that “he shouldn’t lead in Solat”, it means his solat is invalid. Whether the Solat is accepted by Allah or not, only Allah knows. But as far as measures set for Solat are concerned, his Solat is invalid.

But if let’s say, the person has difficulty in pronouncing only one letter, such as ر then it shouldn’t be a problem, since it’s natural. But if that same person can’t pronounce many letters properly, even if it’s natural, he shouldn’t be leading in Solat, while there are others who can recite better.

It’s more of responsibility, more than it is of a job.

Click here to read more about Surah Al-Fatihah

Allah knows best.

Allahu Hafiz 🙂