The Recitation of the Basmala in a Low Voice and the Evidence for It
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The first question of Fatwa No. ( 389 )
Q1: What is the evidence for the permissibility of reciting (Bismillah al-Rahman al-Rahim) in a low voice during the loud prayers, given that every surah of the Qur'an begins with (Bismillah al-Rahman al-Rahim), including Surat al-Fatihah, which is known to have seven verses, yet only six are recited, with the Bismillah al-Rahman al-Rahim being hidden?
A1: Those scholars who said to recite (Bismillah al-Rahman al-Rahim) in a low voice during the loud prayers based that on their statement that it is not a verse of every surah, but rather a verse of the Qur'an that stands alone, serving as a separator between the surahs, and that it is part of a verse from Surat al-Naml. Thus, they said: Reciting it in a low voice during the
loud prayers distinguishes it from the verses of the surah. Also, reciting it at the beginning of the surah in prayer while reciting it in a low voice in the loud prayers combines the evidences that appear to indicate leaving out its recitation in prayer with the hadiths that indicate reciting it before the surah in prayer, such as the hadith of A'ishah (may Allah be pleased with her), who said:Mishkat al-Masabih 791 , and the hadith of Anas (may Allah be pleased with him), who said: Sahih Muslim 399c . These hadiths were interpreted as indicating the leaving out of reciting it aloud, rather than leaving it out entirely; this is to reconcile these hadiths with the hadiths indicating the recitation of Bismillah al-Rahman al-Rahim in prayer. As for the claim that we recite only six verses of al-Fatihah, this is incorrect by consensus. Whoever considers the Basmala a verse of
every surah, including al-Fatihah, counts it as a verse of al-Fatihah, with the six verses following it. And whoever does not consider it a verse of al-Fatihah counts[Al-Fatihah 1:7] as a verse, and the verses following it until the end of al-Fatihah as verses, making it seven verses without the Basmala. And success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
Q1: What is the evidence for the permissibility of reciting (Bismillah al-Rahman al-Rahim) in a low voice during the loud prayers, given that every surah of the Qur'an begins with (Bismillah al-Rahman al-Rahim), including Surat al-Fatihah, which is known to have seven verses, yet only six are recited, with the Bismillah al-Rahman al-Rahim being hidden?
A1: Those scholars who said to recite (Bismillah al-Rahman al-Rahim) in a low voice during the loud prayers based that on their statement that it is not a verse of every surah, but rather a verse of the Qur'an that stands alone, serving as a separator between the surahs, and that it is part of a verse from Surat al-Naml. Thus, they said: Reciting it in a low voice during the
loud prayers distinguishes it from the verses of the surah. Also, reciting it at the beginning of the surah in prayer while reciting it in a low voice in the loud prayers combines the evidences that appear to indicate leaving out its recitation in prayer with the hadiths that indicate reciting it before the surah in prayer, such as the hadith of A'ishah (may Allah be pleased with her), who said:
‘A’isha said that God’s Messenger used to begin prayer with the takbir 1 and the recitation of “Praise be to God, the Lord of the universe.” 2
كان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يفتتح الصلاة بالتكبير والقراءة بالحمد لله رب العالمينI observed prayer behind the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and Abu Bakr and Umar and 'Uthman. They started (loud recitation) with: AI-hamdu lillahi Rabb al-'Alamin [All Praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the worlds] and did not recite Bismillah ir- Rahman-ir-Rahim (loudly) at the beginning of the recitation or at the end of it.
صليت خلف النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم وأبي بكر وعمر وعثمان ، فكانوا يفتتحون بالحمد لله رب العالمين، ولمسلم: (لا يذكرون بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم)every surah, including al-Fatihah, counts it as a verse of al-Fatihah, with the six verses following it. And whoever does not consider it a verse of al-Fatihah counts
The path of those upon whom You have bestowed favor
صِرَاطَ الَّذِينَ أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيْهِمْ
Source
www.alifta.gov.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.