Reciting Basmalah during Prayer

Question:

What is the ruling of reciting the basmalah (bismillah ar-rahman ar-raheem) before reciting Al-Fatihah (Opening Chapter of the Qur’an) and other verses of the Qur’an while offering prayer?

Answer:

In the name of Allah, we praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright.

Reciting Basmalah before Surat Al-Fatihah (the Opening Chapter of the Qur’an) and other surahs of the Qur’an is highly recommended (confirmed sunnah). 

The sound narrations from the Prophet (peace be upon him) indicated that he used to recite Basmalah during prayer before Surat Al-Fatihah and before other surahs but he did not recite it out loud in the prayers in which he recited Qur’an out loud.

The Standing Committee of Fatwa in Saudi Arabia said:

“If (the worshiper) is going to recite a surah after Al-Fatihah, he should recite Basmalah silently beforehand. But if he is going to recite a brief passage from the middle or end of a surah, then it is not prescribed for him to recite it.”

For more information about such ruling, watch this interesting talk with Dr. Muhammad Salah. 

_________________________________

Source: Huda Youtube Channel.