Ruling on Reciting Only al-Fatihah and al-Ikhlas in Prayer

Question:
The questioner: This is Taha al-Sudani, residing in Libya. He asks: What is the ruling on a woman who prays with only two surahs, namely Surat al-Fatihah and Surat al-Ikhlas, because she has not learned them, and she performs all the obligatory Islamic duties? Is her prayer acceptable, O Shaykh?

Answer:
Yes, her prayer is valid, even if she recites only al-Fatihah. However, reciting [al-Ikhlas:1] or other short surahs is better in the first and second rak'ahs of Maghrib, 'Isha', Zuhr, 'Asr, and Fajr.
As for the third rak'ah of Maghrib and the third and fourth rak'ahs of Zuhr, 'Asr, and 'Isha', reciting al-Fatihah is sufficient. If she recites [al-Ikhlas:1] along with al-Fatihah, there is no blame on her in any of these cases. However, the sunnah (recommended practice) is to restrict herself to al-Fatihah in the third rak'ah of Maghrib, the third and fourth rak'ahs of 'Isha', the third and fourth rak'ahs of Zuhr, and the third and fourth rak'ahs of 'Asr. Yes.
If she recites an addition in the third and fourth rak'ahs of Zuhr, such as [al-Ikhlas:1], there is no blame on her for that. If she recites an addition in the third and fourth rak'ahs of Zuhr, such as [al-Ikhlas:1], there is no blame on her for that; because it is reported from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) what indicates that he sometimes recited in the third and fourth rak'ahs of Zuhr, meaning: in addition to al-Fatihah.

The presenter: May Allah reward you, Your Eminence.