Can a person following the imam recite al-Fatiha?

According to the Hanafi school, when performing prayer in congregation, the person following the imam does not recite al-Fatiha or any other verse or surah along with the imam. The obligation to recite the Qur’an during prayer is completely lifted from the one following the imam. (Mevsılî, el-İhtiyâr, 1/50)

According to the Shafi‘i and Hanbali schools, however, the obligation to recite is not completely lifted. In prayers where the imam recites silently, the follower recites al-Fatiha and a surah from the beginning of the prayer. In prayers recited aloud, the follower recites only al-Fatiha during the short pause after the imam finishes reciting al-Fatiha. (Shirbīnī, Mughnī al-muhtāj, 1/361-362)

The Hanafis base their view on the verse, “When the Qur’an is recited, listen to it and be silent so that you may receive mercy.” (al-A‘rāf, 7/204), and hadiths such as, “Whoever prays behind the imam, the imam’s recitation is his recitation.” (Ibn Mājah, Iqāmat al-ṣalawāt, 13 [850]), “The imam has been appointed to be followed.” (Bukhārī, Adhān, 51), and “When the imam recites, remain silent.” (Ibn Mājah, Iqāmat al-ṣalawāt, 13 [846]). The Shafi‘is, on the other hand, rely on the general meaning of hadiths such as, “There is no prayer for the one who does not recite al-Fatiha.” (Muslim, Ṣalāt, 34 [394]).

Source: T.C. Diyanet İşleri Başkanlığı, Din İşleri Yüksek Kurulu