Authored by: Shaykh Mubashir Ahmad Rabbani (Hafizahullah)
Numerous authentic narrations support its silent recitation. For instance, it is mentioned in a Hadith:
"Anas (رضی اللہ عنہ) said: I prayed behind the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), Abu Bakr, Umar, and Uthman (رضی اللہ عنہم), and they did not recite 'Bismillah-ir-Rahman-ir-Rahim' aloud."
– [Sahih Muslim, Book of Salah, Chapter on the Evidence for Silent Recitation of Bismillah, Hadith 399]
However, some Companions (رضی اللہ عنہم) have also been reported to recite "Bismillah" aloud. For example, it is narrated that:
Question:
In Salah, should "Bismillah-ir-Rahman-ir-Rahim" be recited only after Thanaa in the first rak’ah or at the beginning of Surah Al-Fatihah in every rak’ah? Additionally, should it be recited aloud (jahr) or silently (sir)?Answer:
Reciting "Bismillah-ir-Rahman-ir-Rahim" at the beginning of Surah Al-Fatihah is unanimously proven in every rak’ah of Salah. The difference of opinion lies in whether it should be recited aloud or silently.Numerous authentic narrations support its silent recitation. For instance, it is mentioned in a Hadith:
"Anas (رضی اللہ عنہ) said: I prayed behind the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), Abu Bakr, Umar, and Uthman (رضی اللہ عنہم), and they did not recite 'Bismillah-ir-Rahman-ir-Rahim' aloud."
– [Sahih Muslim, Book of Salah, Chapter on the Evidence for Silent Recitation of Bismillah, Hadith 399]
However, some Companions (رضی اللہ عنہم) have also been reported to recite "Bismillah" aloud. For example, it is narrated that:
- Abdullah ibn Abbas (رضی اللہ عنہما) and Abdullah ibn Umar (رضی اللہ عنہما) would recite "Bismillah" aloud.
– [Juz' by Al-Khatib Al-Baghdadi, pp. 41, 180] - Umar ibn Al-Khattab (رضی اللہ عنہ) is also authentically reported to have recited "Bismillah" aloud.
– [Ibn Abi Shaybah, 1/412]
Is "Bismillah" Part of Surah Al-Fatihah?
In copies of the Qur'an printed in many Arab countries, "Bismillah-ir-Rahman-ir-Rahim" is included as a verse of Surah Al-Fatihah. However, the inclusion or exclusion of "Bismillah" as a verse does not affect the recitation's validity in Salah.Conclusion
- Silent Recitation: The majority of narrations and scholarly opinions support the silent recitation of "Bismillah".
- Loud Recitation: While less common, it is also valid based on the practice of some Companions.
- Every Rak’ah: "Bismillah" should be recited at the beginning of Surah Al-Fatihah in every rak’ah of Salah.