Is Reciting Surah Al-Fatihah in Salah Obligatory?

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Hadith of Ubadah bin As-Samit (رضي الله عنه):

Ubadah bin As-Samit (رضي الله عنه) used to convey this statement from the Prophet (ﷺ):
“There is no prayer for the one who does not recite Surah Al-Fatihah.”
(Agreed upon: Sahih Al-Bukhari: 756, Sahih Muslim: 394)

Key Points & Rulings:

① Reciting Surah Al-Fatihah in Salah is obligatory for both the Imam and the follower (Ma’moom).
② If any obligatory act (Fard) of Salah is missed or deliberately left out, the Salah becomes invalid.
③ One who neglects an obligatory act of Salah cannot be considered to have perfect faith.
④ “Fatihatul-Kitab” (The Opening of the Book) is one of the names of Surah Al-Fatihah, meaning it serves as the gateway to the Quran. This name is derived from Hadith and signifies its importance in both recitation and opening the Mushaf.
⑤ Whether the prayer is obligatory (Fard) or voluntary (Nafl), it is not valid without reciting Surah Al-Fatihah.

📖 This content is taken from “Dhiya al-Islam fi Sharh al-Imam bi Ahadith al-Ahkam” by Sheikh Taqi al-Din Abi al-Fath, translated by Maulana Mahmood Ahmad Ghaznfar.