The Number of Verses in al-Fatihah and the Inclusion of the Basmalah in It

Question:
May Allah reward you. Also, this questioner says: Honorable Shaykh, what is the number of verses in Surat al-Fatihah? And is the Basmalah included in it?

Answer:
The majority of scholars hold that the Basmala is not part of al-Fatihah or any other surah, but rather an independent verse of the Noble Qur'an with which the surahs begin, except for al-Bara'ah, because it was not revealed before it. The number of verses in al-Fatihah is seven: . The sixth is "the path of those upon whom You have bestowed favor." The seventh is "not those upon whom is Your anger" .
This is the view of the majority of scholars. Some say that the Basmala is a verse of al-Fatihah, which is why they recite it aloud, making the seven verses begin with "In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful," and making His saying a single verse that completes the seven. This is a view, but the majority, as mentioned, is the correct one, based on the authentic hadiths in which those who described the prayer of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) when they prayed with him said: "We prayed behind the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), and behind Abu Bakr, 'Umar, and 'Uthman, and they would begin the prayer with 'All praise is to Allah, Lord of the worlds.' If the Basmala had been part of al-Fatihah, they would have recited it aloud with it." Yes.