Is It Necessary to Recite Taʿawwudh Before Every Rakʿah? — Detailed Explanation
Source: Aḥkām wa Masā’il – Discussion on Ṣalāh, Volume 1, Page 135
❖ Question
Is it necessary to recite taʿawwudh (i.e. "أعوذ بالله من الشيطان الرجيم") before starting every rakʿah, that is, before reciting Sūrat al-Fātiḥah in each rakʿah of prayer?
Shaykh Nāṣir al-Dīn al-Albānī (رحمه الله) held the view that taʿawwudh should be recited before every rakʿah.
❖ Answer
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa-s-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, Ammā Baʿd!
The Qur’ān states:
﴿فَإِذَا قَرَأۡتَ ٱلۡقُرۡءَانَ فَٱسۡتَعِذۡ بِٱللَّهِ مِنَ ٱلشَّيۡطَٰنِ ٱلرَّجِيمِ﴾
(Sūrat al-Naḥl: 98)
"So when you recite the Qur’ān, seek refuge with Allah from Shayṭān, the accursed."
◈ Scholarly Position
This verse, in its general wording, supports the opinion mentioned by Shaykh Nāṣir al-Dīn al-Albānī (رحمه الله) — namely, that before every recitation of the Qur’ān, even within prayer, it is recommended to recite taʿawwudh.
Thus, before the recitation of Sūrat al-Fātiḥah in every rakʿah, saying "أعوذ بالله من الشيطان الرجيم" is included under the general command of the Qur’ān. The purpose is to seek Allah’s protection from Shayṭān’s whispers during recitation and worship.
Conclusion:It is legislated to recite taʿawwudh before every recitation of the Qur’ān, which includes the beginning of Sūrat al-Fātiḥah in each rakʿah of Ṣalāh.
"ھذا ما عندي والله أعلم بالصواب"
