Malfuzat – Volume III — Page 109
109 of the elders came to the field in order to encourage the students. In a child’s innocence, one of the sons of the Promised Messiah as said: “Father, why did you not go to the cricket match?” The Promised Messiah as was engaged in writing his commentary on Surah Fatihah at the time. He said: “The others will play their match and return to their homes, but the cricket that I am playing at the moment will last until the end of time. ” 1 16 February 1901 Reciting Surah Fatihah Behind the Imam During the course of discussion the point was raised that if one joins the Prayer while the congregation is in the bowing position (ruku) , will one be deemed to have completed that cycle of the Prayer? His Holiness inquired about the views of other Muslim scholars. The beliefs of various Islamic schools of thought were mentioned. Finally, the Promised Messiah gave a verdict in this regard and said: “My belief is: ِ بِفَاتِـحَۃ ِ الْکِتَاب َ ّ صَلٰوۃ َ اِل َ ل (There is no Prayer without the opening chapter of the Book). Whether a person is offering their Prayer behind an Imam or alone, in any case, they should recite Surah Fatihah. However, the Imam should not recite Surah Fatihah hastily. On the contrary, he should recite slowly so that the people who are offering the Prayer behind him can listen and recite themselves as well. If not this, the Imam should pause for enough time after each verse so that everyone in the congregation can repeat each verse themselves as well. In any case, the followers of the congregation must be given enough time to listen to the recitation of the Imam and then repeat those words themselves. It is necessary to recite Surah Fatihah, because it is the Mother of the Book. However, an individ- ual who—despite their effort to join the Prayer—arrives when the congregation is in the bowing position and was unable to join earlier, will be deemed to have completed that specific rak’at of the Prayer, even if they have not recited Surah Fatihah. This is because it is recorded in a Hadith that a person who joins the congregation in the bowing position, has completed that specific cycle of Prayer. Religious issues are of two kinds. On the one hand, the Noble Messenger has instructed and emphasised that Surah Fatihah must be recited in the Prayer; it is the Mother of the Book and the essence of the Prayer. However, since the basis of religion is on ease and leniency, the Noble Messenger, peace and blessings of 1 Al-Hakam , vol. 5, no. 7, dated 24 February 1901, p. 10 p. 95