it is not obligatory upon others. [Verification of this is that if it were obligatory upon other than the latecomer (al-masbuq), it would have been obligatory upon the latecomer, like all other pillars of the prayer.] (36) As for the authentic hadith of Ubadah, it is interpreted as applying to someone other than the person praying behind an Imam (al-ma'mum). The same applies to the hadith of Abu Hurayrah, and this has come explicitly, narrated by al-Khallal, with his chain of narration from Jabir, that the Prophet -peace be upon him- said: "Every prayer in which the Mother of the Qur'an (al-Fatiha) is not recited is deficient, unless [it is] (37) behind the Imam." [It has also been narrated as a mawquf statement from Jabir] (37). As for the saying of Abu Hurayrah: "Recite it to yourself," it is from his own words, [and he has been contradicted by Jabir, Ibn al-Zubayr, and others. Furthermore, it is possible that he meant: Recite it during the Imam's silences, or during his silent recitation] (38). [His narration from the Prophet -peace be upon him-] (39): "When the Imam recites, then listen attentively" (40) [is more appropriate than his own statement and more correct. He was contradicted by nine of the companions of the Messenger of Allah -peace be upon him-: Ali, Ibn Abbas, Ibn Mas'ud, Zayd ibn Thabit, Abu Sa'id, Hudhayfah, Uqbah ibn Amir (41), Ibn Umar, Jabir, and Ibn al-Zubayr. Ibn Mas'ud said: I wish that the one who has recited behind the Imam would have his mouth filled with dirt. Furthermore, it is possible that he meant reciting it during the Imam's silences, or during his silent recitation] (42). The other hadith of Ubadah was not narrated by anyone other than Ibn