The ruling on seeking refuge and the basmalah in every rak'ah

Question:
Our sister asks and says: 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 she is reciting a separate surah, she should 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 have 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 certainly prescribed in the first rak'ah, and so is the basmalah. As for the other rak'ahs, the one praying, whether a man or a woman, says the basmalah when he begins a surah. But if he is reciting only some verses, there is no need for the basmalah; the initial basmalah when reciting al-Fatihah is sufficient. Yes.

The presenter: May Allah reward you with good.