Q: As we know it is waajib to recite the first 3 verses of Surah Faatiha in every rakaah of salaah.
I heard a mufti say that qiraat changes the amount of verses in the Quraan. If I recite the first three verses of Surah Faatiha and combine the second and third verse and not recite further would my prayer be valid?
A: What you have mentioned is incorrect. If one performs fardh salaah alone, then one will have to recite Surah Faatiha and a surah in the first two rakaats and one will recite Surah Faatiha in the second two rakaats of a four rakaat fardh salaah. In a two rakaat fardh salaah, one will recite Surah Faatiha and a surah in both the rakaats. This is the ruling in regard to fardh salaah.
As far as sunnah and nafl salaah are concerned, Surah Faatiha and a surah will have to be recited in all rakaats.
However, if one is performing salaah behind the imaam, one will not recite anything in all the rakaats. Rather, one will remain silent. If one recites behind the imaam, one will be sinful.
And Allah Ta'ala (الله تعالى) knows best.
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