Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.  (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

Salaam Burhan Bhai

I have a few questions that are being debated all the time.

1. In congregation prayer, is it must to read Surat Fatiha after the Imam has read it and we have all said Amen?

2. What is your opinion on interest on money lying in a bank. There is some debate that in the modern banking system your money is at risk as the bank uses your money to do business and there is a risky chance that the bank could go bust. Also inflation is compensated by the interest that one earns from a bank.

Wassalaam.

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Answer:

Reading Surah Fateha in congregation

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is no one (no idol, no person, no grave, no prophet, no imam, no dai, nobody!) worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad(saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Your comment: In congregation prayer, is it must to read Surat Fatiha after the Imam has read it and we have all said Amen?

This is an issue on which the scholars of Islam have differed in their opinion. The Prophet of Allah (saws) always led the congregation prayer and did not pray behind any imam, as he was always the imam leading the believers in their prayers.

Imam Abu Hanifa is of the opinion that the reading of Surah Fatiha of the Imam is enough for the congregation, and it is not a must for the ‘muktadi’ (people praying in congregation) to pray Surah Fateha again after the Imam has prayed it. Imam Abu Hanifa bases his opinion on the narration of the Prophet (saws) whereby he (saws) said that the recitation of the Imam is the recitation of the ‘muktadis’.

Imam Shaafie is of the opinion that the reading of the Surah Fatiha is a must for the ‘muktadi’ in every rakah. He bases his opinion on the narration of the Prophet (saws) who said that no prayer is valid without the recitation of Surah Fateha.

Imam Maalik’s opinion is probably the most accepted and logical on this issue. His opinion is a combination of the above two narrations and in conformity with the aayah of the Holy Quran Chapter 7 Surah Aaraf verse 204:When the Quran is recited to you, listen to it with attention and keep silent. It may be that you also are blessed with mercy.

Imam Malik’s opinion is that in the prayers where the imam prays aloud (fajr, magrib, isha), one should listen to Imam’s recitation and keep silent. And in the prayers where the imam prays silently (zuhr, asr, the last rakah of magrib, the last two rakahs of isha), the ‘muktadi’ must pray the Surah Fateha. This opinion of Imam Malik is the most accepted and practiced in the Ummah.

Your comment: What is your opinion on interest on money lying in a bank. There is some debate that in the modern banking system your money is at risk as the bank uses your money to do business and there is a risky chance that the bank could go bust. Also inflation is compensated by the interest that one earns from a bank.

Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 2 Surah Baqarah verse 278:O Believers! fear Allah and give up that ‘riba’ which is still due to you, if you are true believers. But if you do not do so, then you are warned of the declaration of war against you by Allah and His Messenger!

Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 4 Surah Nisa verse 161:That they took ‘riba’, although they were forbidden. And that they devoured men’s substance wrongfully. We have prepared for those among them who reject faith a grievous punishment (of Hell Fire)!

The Quran has used the term ‘riba’ which can be translated into English as ‘usury’. And interest is one of the parts of ‘usury’, and thus is considered haraam in Islam.

Allah and His Messenger (saws) have declared the taking of interest forbidden in Islam. Thus for a believer, who sincerely believes in Allah and the Last Day, must abstain from taking interest; no matter how the modern economists try to justify the interest issue!

There are many good Islamic Banks in operation today, and a believer is advised to deposit his money in these Islamic Banks who give a share of the profits to the depositors; which at times, the return is even more than the conventional interest-based banks.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your Brother in Islam,

Burhan