What is the ruling if the Imam forgets (suffers from *irtijaj*) a verse in Surah Al-Fatiha during prayer?
Chapter on the Two Prostrations of Forgetfulness
Al-Mughni
Book of Prayer
Primary text
Those praying behind the Imam must prompt him to recite the remainder. This is analogous to prompting the Imam if he forgets a prostration (Sujud). If the Imam is incapable of completing Al-Fatiha, he must appoint a deputy (*yastakhlif*) to lead the remainder of the prayer on behalf of the congregation, as this incapacity is a valid excuse justifying deputization, similar to instances where ritual purity is lost (*sabaqahu al-hadath*).
Supporting text
Ibn Aqil held that if the Imam cannot complete Al-Fatiha, he should recite what he knows and omit what he cannot, and his prayer remains valid, equating this to failing a pillar (*rukn*) mid-prayer, which then falls away like the standing position. Regarding the follower (*Ma'mum*) who is illiterate and incapable of reciting Al-Fatiha, his prayer is valid. If the follower is capable but unable to recite behind the Imam, he should form the intention to separate from the Imam and complete the prayer alone. The view is that if one cannot recite Al-Fatiha, the prayer is invalid due to the general saying of the Prophet (peace be upon him): "There is no prayer for one who does not recite the Fatiha of the Book." This inability is not to be analogized with the illiterate person, as the literate person could learn it before the time expires, unlike the case of forgetting essential actions in the prayer.