Source: Ahkam wa Masā’il in the Light of Qur’an and Hadith, Vol. 01
What is the ruling regarding reciting Bismillāh before starting a new Sūrah after Sūrah al-Fātiḥah in Salah?
Alhamdulillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa-s-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh. Ammā baʿd!
It is necessary and recommended to recite Bismillāh al-Raḥmān al-Raḥīm before starting any Sūrah of the Qur’an. The same principle applies within Salah: when reciting a Sūrah after al-Fātiḥah, Bismillāh should be recited beforehand.
Anas ibn Mālik (RA) narrated:
"One day we were sitting with the Messenger of Allah ﷺ when he raised his head and smiled. We asked: ‘O Messenger of Allah, what made you smile?’ He replied: ‘Just now a Sūrah has been revealed to me.’ Then he recited:
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم، إِنَّا أَعْطَيْنَاكَ الْكَوْثَرَ… الخ"
(Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 400)
This ḥadīth is clear evidence that the Prophet ﷺ recited Bismillāh at the beginning of a new Sūrah.
The Companions (RA) disapproved of anyone not reciting Bismillāh before a new Sūrah after al-Fātiḥah.
Anas ibn Mālik (RA) reported:
*"Muʿāwiyah ibn Abī Sufyān (RA) once led a congregational Salah in Madinah. He recited Bismillāh before al-Fātiḥah, but when he began another Sūrah after it, he did not recite Bismillāh beforehand.
When he completed the prayer (after salām), the Muhājirīn and Anṣār who heard this exclaimed from all sides:
‘O Muʿāwiyah! Has the prayer been stolen, or did you forget?’
Thereafter, whenever Muʿāwiyah (RA) led Salah, he would recite Bismillāh al-Raḥmān al-Raḥīm before the Sūrah after al-Fātiḥah.”*
(al-Mustadrak lil-Ḥākim, Vol. 1, p. 233; al-Umm by al-Shāfiʿī, Vol. 1, p. 93)
In Salah, when reciting a Sūrah after al-Fātiḥah, it is Sunnah and the practice of the Companions (RA) to recite Bismillāh al-Raḥmān al-Raḥīm before it. Neglecting it was considered objectionable by the Companions (RA).
ھذا ما عندي، والله أعلم بالصواب
❖ The Question
What is the ruling regarding reciting Bismillāh before starting a new Sūrah after Sūrah al-Fātiḥah in Salah?
❖ The Answer
Alhamdulillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa-s-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh. Ammā baʿd!
It is necessary and recommended to recite Bismillāh al-Raḥmān al-Raḥīm before starting any Sūrah of the Qur’an. The same principle applies within Salah: when reciting a Sūrah after al-Fātiḥah, Bismillāh should be recited beforehand.
❖ The Practice of the Prophet ﷺ
Anas ibn Mālik (RA) narrated:
"One day we were sitting with the Messenger of Allah ﷺ when he raised his head and smiled. We asked: ‘O Messenger of Allah, what made you smile?’ He replied: ‘Just now a Sūrah has been revealed to me.’ Then he recited:
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم، إِنَّا أَعْطَيْنَاكَ الْكَوْثَرَ… الخ"
(Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 400)
This ḥadīth is clear evidence that the Prophet ﷺ recited Bismillāh at the beginning of a new Sūrah.
❖ The Practice and Attitude of the Companions (RA)
The Companions (RA) disapproved of anyone not reciting Bismillāh before a new Sūrah after al-Fātiḥah.
Anas ibn Mālik (RA) reported:
*"Muʿāwiyah ibn Abī Sufyān (RA) once led a congregational Salah in Madinah. He recited Bismillāh before al-Fātiḥah, but when he began another Sūrah after it, he did not recite Bismillāh beforehand.
When he completed the prayer (after salām), the Muhājirīn and Anṣār who heard this exclaimed from all sides:
‘O Muʿāwiyah! Has the prayer been stolen, or did you forget?’
Thereafter, whenever Muʿāwiyah (RA) led Salah, he would recite Bismillāh al-Raḥmān al-Raḥīm before the Sūrah after al-Fātiḥah.”*
(al-Mustadrak lil-Ḥākim, Vol. 1, p. 233; al-Umm by al-Shāfiʿī, Vol. 1, p. 93)
❖ Conclusion
In Salah, when reciting a Sūrah after al-Fātiḥah, it is Sunnah and the practice of the Companions (RA) to recite Bismillāh al-Raḥmān al-Raḥīm before it. Neglecting it was considered objectionable by the Companions (RA).
ھذا ما عندي، والله أعلم بالصواب
