Sheikh `Abdul-Majeed Subh, a prominent Azharite scholar, states:
“1. The Imam and the followers in the silent prayer (Zuhr and `Asr) should recite Al-Fatihah and a passage from the Qur’an in the first two rak`as. In the third and the fourth rak`as they recite Al-Faitah.
2. When the Imam bow down for ruku` while you are still in the middle of the surah you should stop reading and follow the Imam. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) is reported to have said, “The imam is appointed to be followed.”
3. In the loud prayers, the follower recites Al-Fatihah after the Imam recites it and remains silent to listen to the Imam reciting a short passage of the Qur’an.”