It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that he said: I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) saying: "The prayer in which Surah al-Fatihah is not recited is deficient," and he (peace and blessings be upon him) said this three times. The narrator said to Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him): O Abu Hurayrah, sometimes I am behind the imam (so what should I do then?). Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) said: O Persian, recite it within yourself, for I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) saying that Allah Almighty said: "I have divided the prayer (al-Fatihah) between Myself and My servant, and My servant shall have what he asks of Me. When the servant says: 'All praise is for Allah, Lord of the worlds,' Allah Almighty says: My servant has praised Me. When the servant says: 'The Most Gracious, the Most Merciful,' Allah Almighty says: My servant has extolled Me. When the servant says: 'Master of the Day of Recompense,' Allah Almighty says: My servant has glorified Me, or He said: My servant has entrusted himself to Me. When the servant says: 'You alone we worship and You alone we ask for help,' Allah Almighty says: This is between Me and My servant, and My servant shall have what he asks. When the servant says: 'Guide us to the straight path, the path of those You have blessed, not of those who have earned anger, nor of those who go astray,' Allah Almighty says: This is for My servant, and My servant shall have what he asked." All praise is for Allah, Lord of the worlds. The Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Master of the Day of Recompense. You alone we worship and You alone we ask for help. Guide us to the straight path, the path of those You have blessed, not of those who have earned anger, nor of those who go astray [Surah al-Fatihah: 2-7].
Sufyan said: I went to al-Ala' bin Abd al-Rahman at his house while he was ill, and I asked him, and he narrated this hadith to me.
Hadith Referenceالسنن الكبرى للبيهقي / كتاب الصلاة / 2365