378. Can I repeat Surah al-Faatihah in my Salaah if I didn’t concentrate in it?

By Asma bint Shameem 

Generally speaking, it’s *not recommended* to read al-Faatihah again in Salaah BUT if there’s a NEED for it and a REASON, then it’s *permissible* to do so. 

Here’s what Shaikh ibn Uthaymeen said:

“If a person repeats al-Faatihah as an act of worship, there is no doubt that it is *makrooh*, because if doing so were good, the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam would have done it. 

But if a person repeats al-Faatihah not as an act of worship, but because he did not do it in the recommended manner, it seems that it is permissible, such as repeating it because he forgot and recited it silently when it is prescribed to recite it out loud, as happens to some Imaams who forget and recite al-Faatihah silently. 

In this case we say: 

There is nothing wrong with repeating it from the beginning in order to make up for what was omitted of reciting out loud. 

The same applies if one recites it without focus and wants to repeat it whilst focusing on the second recitation; in this case repeating it has a legitimate purpose, which is to focus with presence of mind. 

But if there is the fear that this will open the door to waswaas, one should not do it.”

(al-Sharh al-Mumti‘, 3/331)

And Allaah knows best.