Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "When a person stands for prayer, he should not spit in front of him because as long as he is engaged in prayer, he is supplicating before his Lord. He should also not spit to his right side because there is an angel on his right. He should spit to his left side or under his foot and bury it." (Imam Ibn Hibban, may Allah have mercy on him, says:) This narration is a clear statement that it is obligatory for the follower (muqtadi) to recite Surah Al-Fatihah during prayer, because the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) has informed that the one praying is supplicating to his Lord, and supplication can only occur when someone is addressed verbally; reciting tasbih or takbir or remaining silent does not constitute supplication.