Ruling on seeking refuge and the basmalah in every rak'ah?

Question:
Is it obligatory to adhere to seeking refuge and the basmalah in every rak'ah of the prayer, or is it sufficient to do so in the first rak'ah?

Answer:
As for the basmalah, it is a recommended practice (sunnah) in all the rak'ahs. If you are reciting a separate surah, you say it before it. As for seeking refuge, it is a recommended practice (sunnah) in the first rak'ah. As for the other rak'ahs, the scholars differed on whether seeking refuge is prescribed or not. So if one seeks refuge, there is nothing wrong with it, and if one leaves it out, there is nothing wrong with it in the other rak'ahs. However, seeking refuge is prescribed in the first rak'ah with emphasis, and so is the basmalah. As for the other rak'ahs, it is recommended for a man or a woman to say it if they begin a surah. But if they are reciting only some verses, there is no need for the basmalah; the first basmalah when reciting al-Fatihah is sufficient.