Reciting Al-Fatihah is Obligatory upon the One Who is led in Prayer in the Audible Prayers

Question :

After the Imam recites Al-Fatihah, he begins to recite whatever is easy (for him) from the Qur'an before I can finish reciting Al-Fatihah, because his pause is insufficient, bearing in mind that I have read the Hadith:
There is no prayer for the one who does not recite Al- Fatihah."

- and the Hadith:
The recitation of the Imam is recitation for those behind him." So how does one reconcile these two Hadiths?

Answer:

Scholars have disagreed over whether the one who is led in prayer is obliged to recite Surah Al-Fatihah or not, but the most authoritative view is that it is obligatory, based upon the generality of the words of the Prophet:

"There is no prayer for the one who does not recite the Opening of the Book".

- and his words:
"Perhaps you recite behind your Imam?"

They said: "Yes." He said:
"Do not do so, except for the Opening of the Book, for the prayer of one who does not recite it is not valid.

So if the Imam does not pause during the audible prayers, the one being led by him should recite it, even if he has to recite with his Imam, then he should be silent in implementation of both of the aforementioned Hadiths; but if he forgets, or is ignorant of its obligation, that obligation is cancelled for him, like the one who arrives when the Imam is bowing, he bows with the Imam and the Rak'ah is credited to him, according to the most authoritative of two sayings of the scholars. This is the view of most of the scholars, based upon the Hadith of Abu Bakrah Ath-Thaqafi, may Allah be pleased with him, who came to the mosque while the Prophet was bowing, so he bowed behind the row, then entered the row. And after he had made the Taslim, the Prophet said to him:

"May Allah increase you in endeavor, but do not repeat it.

- and he did not order him to make up for it."
As for the Hadith which states:
"He who has an Imam, then the recitation of the Imam is recitation for him.

- it is weak, and may not be used as evidence; and even if it were authentic, it would be general, leaving an exception for Al-Fatihah, due to the authenticity of the Hadiths concerning it. And Allah is the Granter of success.