al-salamu
`alaykum
As a small addition to the previous
message:
Something that Imam Abu `Isa al-Tirmidhi did in his
hadith
compendium that sets it apart from the other major works is
that he
often mentions opinions from the Imams of the Salaf
associated with
the various narrations.
Imam Abu `Isa
titled the 232nd chapter of the compendium "What has
come
concerning reciting behind the imam." He mentions that
reciting
behind the imam is the practice of the majority of the
scholars of
the Companions (Allah be pleased with them) and the
Successors
(Allah grant them mercy), and it is the opinion of
Malik bin Anas,
Ibn al-Mubarak, al-Safi`i, Ahmad, Ishaq: they were
of the opinion of
reading behind the imam.
The next chapter
is titled "What has come concerning not reading
behind the
imam, when the imam recites audibly." Imam Abu `Isa
repeats
much of what preceded, but clarifies a few points. He said
that
the majority of the Companions (Allah be pleased with them) and
the
Successors and those who succeeded them (Allah grant them mercy)
were
of the opinion that that one recites the Quran; this was the
opinion
of: Malik bin Anas, `Abdallah bin al-Mubarak, al-Shafi`i,
Ahmad,
and Ishaq. It seems that only the people of Kufa differed
from
this opinion.
Some of the proponents of reading behind
the imam were so adamant
that they said that one must recite
al-Fatiha, even when praying
behind an imam, and if he does not do
so his prayer does not
suffice. al-Shafi`i and Ishaq were among
those who went with this
opinion.
Note that Imam Abu `Isa
al-Tirmidhi did not mention here that Imam
al-Shafi`i had two
opinions. He mentioned only one. Imam al-Tirmidhi
studied from
students of Imam al-Shafi`i, and it seems unlikely that
he would
mention a position other than the one Imam al-Shaifi`i's
students
went by.
Now I wonder, did the author of that Hanafi work also
mention that
some Hanafis consider followers reading behind the
imam to be
recommended, and yet others consider it obligatory?
wa
al-salamu `alaykum musa