Elements of Shaafi Fiqh by Umar Abdul Jabbaar

Masbooq is a follower who joins the congregation at a moment that there is no time to recite Faatihah before the Imaam bows down for Ruku’.

Muwaafiq is a follower who joins the congregation at a moment that he gets a chance to recite Faatihah before the Imaam bows down for Ruku’.

1. If Masboo finds the Imaam in the position of Ruku’, he will join him in the Ruku’ without reading Al-Faatihah. If he gets the Imaam easily in Ruku’ then it will be considered that he has got this Rak’h.

2. When he gets the Imaam in standing position, but the Imaam bows down for Ruku’ before the Masbooq completes Al-Fatihah then he should also bow down for Ruku’ with Imaam, if he was not busy in reading opening Du’aa or Ta’awwz.

It is not necessary for him to recite the rest of Faatihah.

3. If he gets the Imaam in standing position and begins reading the opening Du’aa or Ta’awwuz, and before he completes reciting Faatihah, the Imaam bows down for Ruku’ then he has to stay behind for as long as he was busy with the Du’aa or Ta’awwuz. Thereafter, if he meets the Imaam in the position of Ruku’ then it will be considered that he has got that Rakaat. But if the Imaam stands up from Ruku’ before the Masbooq bows down then it will be considered that he has missed that Rak’h. If the Imaam performs Sajdaah before the Masbooq completes Faatihah, his Salaah will be invalid, if he has not intended separation from the Jamaat.

1. Muwaafiq must complete Faatihah. If the Imaam goes to Ruku’ before the Muwaafiq completes Faatihah, he should stay behind in order to complete it.

2. When he stays behind for reciting Faatihah, he is permitted to make delay in following Imaam to the extent of three Arkaan due to any of the following reasons:

a) When Muwaafiq is habitual of reading slow not because of Wawasah while the Imaam reads in normal speed.

b) When he forgets reciting Faatihah and remembers it before making Ruku’ with the Imaam. But if he remembers it after performing Ruku’, he will not perform it at the same. He will continue following the Imaam and after making Salaam, he will perform one Rakaat more.

c) When he engages himself with the opening Du’aa or Ta’wwuz thinking that he will recite Suratul Faatihah before the Imaam goes to Ruku’ but he can not. If he fails to recite Faatihah and does not get the Imaam in the position of Ruku’ then that Rak’h is missed and he will perform it after the Imaam makes Salaam.

1. How many types of followers are there?

2. Who is Masbooq?

3. Who is Muwaafiq?

4. What is the ruling for Masbooq?

5. What is the ruling for Muwaafiq or Laahiq?