Reciting Al-Fatihah is an essential part of every rak’ah
Reciting Al-Fatihah is a pillar of every rak’ah (1), as in the hadith: “There is no prayer for whoever does not recite the Fatihah of the Book,” which is the mother of the Qur’an.
(1) This is the third pillar; Because of the saying of the Prophet, may God’s prayers and peace be upon him: “There is no prayer for the one who does not recite the Fatiha of the Book,” and his saying, may God’s prayers and peace be upon him: “Whoever prays a prayer in which he does not recite the Fatiha of the Book, then it is prematurity. It is an incomplete prematurity.” Whether it is obligatory or voluntary, this is general. This applies to the imam and the one who is praying alone, but as for the person being led in prayer, it is obligatory for him, and is waived due to forgetfulness and ignorance. If the imam precedes him, and he comes while the imam is bowing, and he misses the recitation, then it is waived for him according to the correct opinion. Because when the Messenger, may God bless him and grant him peace, realized that Abu Bakra, may God be pleased with him, realized bowing with the imam, he did not order him to perform the rak’ah, so the one who is praying in prayer is in his right an obligation that is waived due to ignorance, forgetfulness, or missing out on standing. So if he missed standing with the imam and realized bowing, that is sufficient for him. But if he is able, then he should read according to what he, may God’s prayers and peace be upon him, said. He said: “Perhaps you will recite behind your imam.” We said: “Yes.” He said: “Do not do so except with the Fatihah of the Book, for there is no prayer for the one who does not recite it,” and this is for general purposes, so reciting the Fatihah is a pillar like the one mentioned above.