During the prayer, when the person praying behind the imam hears the words “You (Alone) we worship, and You (Alone) we ask for help (for each and everything)” [al-Faatihah 1:5], can he say We seek the help of Allaah?.


Praise be to Allaah.

What the person praying behind the imam must do is to be
quiet and listen attentively to the recitation of his imam, because Allaah
says (interpretation of the meaning): “So, when the Qur’aan is recited,
listen to it, and be silent that you may receive mercy” [al-A’raaf 7:204]. 

It is not permissible for him to be distracted from listening
attentively to his imam’s recitation, except by reciting al-Faatihah
himself, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon
him) said: “There is no prayer for the one who does not recite the Opening
of the Book (al-Faatihah).” Narrated by al-Bukhaari (714) and Muslim (595). 

As for the members of the congregation saying “We seek the
help of Allaah” or repeating the phrase “Iyyaaka na’budu wa iyyaaka
nasta’een (You (Alone) we worship, and You (Alone) we ask for help (for each
and everything))” [al-Faatihah 1:5], the scholars both in the past and
in modern times have pointed out that these are innovations which must be
stopped. 

Al-Nawawi (may Allaah have mercy on him) said in
al-Majmoo’ (4/14): 

Many of the common people have the habit, when they hear the
imam say “Iyyaaka na’budu wa iyyaaka nasta’een (You (Alone) we worship,
and You (Alone) we ask for help (for each and everything))”, of saying
“Iyyaaka na’budu wa iyyaaka nasta’een (You (Alone) we worship, and You
(Alone) we ask for help (for each and everything))”. But this is an
innovation which is not allowed. End quote. 

Shaykh ‘Abd al-‘Azeez ibn Baaz (may Allaah have mercy on him)
said, when he was asked about that: 

He should listen to him only, and not say “We seek the help
of Allaah” or anything else; rather he should listen attentively, because
Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “So, when the Qur’aan is
recited, listen to it, and be silent that you may receive mercy” [al-A’raaf
7:204]. 

Majmoo’ Fataawa al-Shaykh Ibn Baaz
(29/274). 

Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy
on him) said: There is no basis for the person praying behind the imam to
say “We seek the help of Allaah” when the imam says “Iyyaaka na’budu wa
iyyaaka nasta’een (You (Alone) we worship, and You (Alone) we ask for help
(for each and everything))”, and this is not allowed, because when the
imam finishes reciting al-Faatihah, the person praying behind him should say
Ameen and this is sufficient, and there is no need for him to say “we seek
the help of Allaah.” End quote.