SECTION ON PRAYER · 138 – The Congregation's Recitation When the Imam Does Not Read Aloud
Imran ibn Husayn, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, led the Dhuhr prayer. A man came and recited "Glorify the name of your Lord, the Most High" (Subhan Rabbikal 'Ala) behind him. When the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, finished the prayer, he said: “Who amongst you recited that?” The companions replied: “That man.” The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "Indeed, I knew that one of you was drawing me to that surah."
Abu Dawud said: Abu al-Walid stated in the hadith: Shu'ba said to me, "I asked Katada about Said ibn Musayyib’s restriction regarding recitation [of the Quran], and he said it pertains to when the Imam recites openly.” In Ibn Kathir’s narration, Shu’ba said, “I asked Katada, ‘It seems as though the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, disliked reciting behind the Imam,’ and Katada replied, ‘If he disliked it, he would have forbade it.’”
EXPLANATION
According to the Hanafi school of thought, whether the Imam recites openly or secretly, neither the congregation nor any individual member recites al-Fatiha nor a surah. According to the Shafi'i school of thought, whether the Imam recites openly or secretly, the congregation must recite al-Fatiha.
According to the Maliki and Ahmad ibn Hanbal schools of thought, if the Imam recites secretly, the congregation recites al-Fatiha; but if the Imam recites openly, they do not. (Ma'alim as-Sunan, vol. 1, p. 394)
From Imran ibn Husayn, may Allah be pleased with him:
The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, performed the Dhuhr prayer.
After concluding the prayer, he said: “Who among you recited ‘Glorify the name of your Lord, the Most High’?” A man said, "I did." The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Indeed, I knew that one of you was drawing me into it (the surah).”