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Fatwa CenterHow to Perform Prayer Behind Imam
Question
What is the correct way to pray the Salats of Zuhr and Asr behind Imam? Also, please, explain what is the correct way to perform third Rak'ahs of Maghrib and third and fourth Rak'ahs of Isha behind imam. Should a Muqtadi (person praying Jamaat behind Imam) recite Fatiha and Surah in the first two Rak'ahs of Asr and Zuhr and then recite Fatiha only in the last two Rak'ahs of Zuhr and Asr? Also should the Muqtadi recite Fatiha in the third Rak'ah of Maghrib and in third and fourth Rak'ah of Isha or should stay quite?
Answer
All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad 
is His slave and Messenger.
The correct way of performing the first two Rak’ahs of Fajr, Maghrib, and ‘Ishaa’ prayers behind the Imam is as follows:
1) To raise one's two hands and say Allaahu Akbar after the Imam.
2) To recite the opening supplication if it is possible before the Imam starts reciting al-Faatihah in a loud voice; otherwise, one should listen to the Imam since the opening supplication is Sunnah while listening to the Imam is a must.
3) To recite al-Faatihah when the Imam completes its recitation even though he starts the recitation of the additional portion after al-Faatihah, since – according the most correct opinion – it is obligatory to recite it.
4) To listen to the Imam after the completion of al-Faatihah.
5) To follow the Imam's movements while making Rukoo' and to say: Subhana Rabiyal 'Atheem.
6) To return to the erect position after the Imam stands up and to say: Rabbana Wa lakal Hamd after the Imam's saying Sami'a Allaahu Liman Hamidah.
7) To follow the Imam while making the Takbeer of Sujood (prostration) and to say while in Sujood: Subhana Rabiyal A'la.
8) To follow the Imam in the sitting position and supplicate saying: Rabbi Ighfirli.
9) To prostrate again after the Imam and make the supplication of Sujood as before.
10) To follow the Imam when he says Allahu Akbar to start the second Rak'ah, and to do as done in the first Rak'ah.
As for the first 2 Raka'hs of Thuhr and ‘Asr, one has to recite al-Faatihah prayer silently, and then any portion of the Quran.
As for the 3rd Rak’ah of the Maghrib prayer and the 3rd and fourth Rak'ah of ‘Ishaa’ prayer, one has to do as done in the 2nd Rak'ah and should recite only Soorah al-Faatihah silently and without reciting any other portion of the Quran as stated by the majority of Muslim scholars.
Allah knows best.
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