Discussion regarding the seeking of refuge, the basmalah, and Surat al-Fatihah.

The Shaykh : Then he says: “I seek refuge in Allah from the accursed Shaytan,” “In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful,” “Praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds,” and so on. The basmalah is not part of al-Fatihah, and therefore, if a person intentionally omits it, his prayer is valid because it is not part of al-Fatihah. The first verses of al-Fatihah are the saying of Allah the Exalted: Al-Fatihah has seven verses, and it is obligatory to recite them all. “Praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds” is the first verse. The seventh verse must be recited completely in the form in which it was revealed, meaning with its vowel movements, emphatic letters, and silent letters, such that nothing of it is altered. If he alters something of it, we look at it: if it changes the meaning, it is not valid; if it does not change the meaning, it is valid. For example, if he says “the path of those upon whom I bestowed favor,” it is not valid. Why? Because if he says “upon whom I bestowed favor,” who is the one who bestows? It is the reciter. And if he says “upon whom He bestowed favor,” the one who bestows is Allah (Mighty and Majestic). If the meaning is not changed, then intentionally doing so is not permissible, but it does not invalidate al-Fatihah. For example: “Praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds” with the wrong vowel, whereas the correct form is “Lord of the worlds” with the correct vowel. It is obligatory to recite al-Fatihah completely.