❖ 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
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?
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:
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.
(Refer also: Shahādat, Feb. 2000)
➤ 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
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
