Is it obligatory to recite (Bismillah al-Rahman al-Rahim) before al-Fatihah?

Question:
Bismillah al-Rahman al-Rahim. He says: Honorable Shaykh, may Allah grant you success, is it obligatory for me to recite Bismillah al-Rahman al-Rahim before al-Fatihah?

Answer:
What is obligatory? It is a sunnah (recommended practice), a confirmed sunnah, not obligatory. Yes, otherwise, if you do not recite it in the prayer, if you do not say Bismillah al-Rahman al-Rahim, your prayer is valid, because you left off a sunnah and did not leave off a pillar of the prayer or an obligation of the prayer. You left off a sunnah. Yes.