Does the follower (Ma'mum) initiate the prayer (Istiftaah) and seek refuge (Istiaadhah) behind the Imam?
Chapter on the Description of Prayer
Al-Mughni
Book of Prayer
Primary text
The follower initiates and seeks refuge if there is a sunnah recitation reserved for him, such as in silent prayers or when the Imam pauses long enough for recitation. If the Imam does not pause at all, the follower neither initiates nor seeks refuge. If the Imam pauses only long enough for the initiation, the follower initiates but does not seek refuge. This is supported by the statement attributed to Sufyan, affirmed by Ahmad, that only one who recites behind the Imam seeks refuge, based on the Quranic injunction: If you recite the Qur'an, seek refuge in Allah from Satan, the outcast (Quran 21:98). This view is held by the majority of scholars, including Ibn Mas'ud, Ibn Umar, and Hisham ibn Amir, who recited behind the Imam in silent sections.
Supporting text
Some scholars suggest that the follower should initiate and seek refuge even during the Imam's loud recitation because hearing the Imam's recitation substitutes for his own, though this does not apply to the initiation and seeking refuge. Ibn Zubayr stated that one should not recite if the Imam recites loudly, but should recite if the Imam recites silently. This is narrated from Sa'id ibn al-Musayyab, Sa'id ibn Jubayr, Al-Hasan, Al-Qasim ibn Muhammad, Nafi' ibn Jubayr, Al-Hakam, and Al-Zuhri.