❖ Two Permissible Methods of Recitation in the Final Units of 3- and 4-Rak‘ah Prayers ❖
Source: Fatāwā ʿIlmiyyah, Volume 1, Kitāb al-Ṣalāh, Page 387
✦ Question:
In three- and four-rakʿah prayers, is it preferable to recite only Sūrah al-Fātiḥah in the final one or two rakʿāt,
or should another sūrah also be added to it?
✔ Answer:
الحمد لله، والصلاة والسلام علىٰ رسول الله، أما بعد!
The method of recitation in ṣalāh is established from the Sunnah.
Concerning the final two rakʿāt of four-rakʿah prayers and the last rakʿah of three-rakʿah prayers:
◈ Both Practices Are Permissible:
① Reciting only Sūrah al-Fātiḥah in these rakʿāt is correct and established.
② Reciting another sūrah along with Sūrah al-Fātiḥah is also permissible and supported by evidence.
Both methods are authentically reported from the Prophet ﷺ.
📚 Evidences from Hadith:
- Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Ṣifat al-Ṣalāh, Bāb: Yaqraʾu fī al-Akhiratayn bi-Fātiḥat al-Kitāb
→ Ḥadīth No. 776 - Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, Kitāb al-Ṣalāh, Bāb: al-Qirāʾah fī al-Ẓuhr wa al-ʿAṣr
→ Ḥadīth No. 451 and 454
(Refer also: Shahādat, Feb. 2000)
❖ Conclusion:
➤ It is Sunnah-supported to recite only Sūrah al-Fātiḥah in the final rakʿāt of 3- and 4-rakʿah prayers.
➤ It is also valid and correct to add another sūrah along with Sūrah al-Fātiḥah.
❗ Therefore, neither method should be regarded as mandatory, and it is incorrect to reject the other practice.
ھذا ما عندي، واللہ أعلم بالصواب
