If one recites a surah after al-Fatihah, does he say the basmalah or seek refuge?

The questioner : Do we say the basmalah or seek refuge between al-Fatihah and the surah in prayer?

The Shaykh : When the one praying finishes reciting al-Fatihah and begins a surah from its beginning, he recites the basmalah before it, because it is part of the surah, except for Surat al-Baqarah, as is well known. As for if he continues the recitation from the middle of the surah or from its end, there is no basmalah in that case. As for seeking refuge, it is at the beginning of the recitation, and so on.