Reference: al-Muntaqaa min Fataawa Shaykh Saalih al-Fowzaan – Volume 3, Page 41, Fatwa No.54
Question: Is it legislated for the imaam to pause after reciting [Soorah] al-Faatihah so those behind him are able to recite [Soorah] al-Faatihah or not? [Please] provide us with a fatwa, [and may Allaah] reward you.
Response: That which is established from the Prophet ﷺ are two pauses:
The first: After the takbeeratul-ihraam (the saying of Allaahu Akbar when beginning the prayer) so that he can recite the opening supplication and the ta’awwudth (the saying of A’oodthubillaahi min ash-Shaytaanir-Rajeem…) quietly before reciting [Soorah] al-Faatihah.
And the second: After he has finished reciting and just before going [down] into the rukoo’ position up until he returns to the standing position.
As for the imaam pausing after reciting [Soorah] al-Faatihah so that those praying behind him are able to recite [Soorah] al-Faatihah, then this has not been confirmed from the Prophet ﷺ, rather, some of the scholars have recommended it. However, one is not to be rebuked for doing so and [likewise] for not doing so. This is because it has been legislated for those praying behind the imaam to recite [Soorah] al-Faatihah and [likewise] it has been legislated for them to listen to the recitation of their imaam. So, in order to combine the two good [actions] some of the scholars have recommended this pause. And Allaah [alone] has the Complete knowledge [of all affairs].
