The ruling on the basmalah when reciting al-Fatihah in prayer
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Q252: The questioner, who is of Sudanese nationality and resides in Jeddah, asks: What is the ruling on omitting the basmalah in prayer, whether intentionally or by forgetfulness, if one is praying alone?
A252: The correct view is that the basmalah is an independent verse of the Noble Qur'an, and not a verse within a specific surah, except in Surat al-Naml. Allah the Exalted said:[An-Naml 27:30], so it is a verse in that surah. As for the rest, it is an independent verse, not belonging to a specific surah, but rather
it was for separating the surahs, except for al-Bara'ah and al-Anfal, of which it is not a part according to the correct view. It is established in authentic hadith that the Companions who prayed behind the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), and behind Abu Bakr, and behind 'Umar, and behind 'Uthman (may Allah be pleased with them), would recite "Al-Hamdu lillahi Rabb al-'Alamin" aloud, but would not recite "Bismillah al-Rahman al-Rahim" aloud. This indicates that it is not part of al-Fatihah, and that if one omits it, his prayer is valid. It is only recommended to recite it before reading al-Fatihah.
A252: The correct view is that the basmalah is an independent verse of the Noble Qur'an, and not a verse within a specific surah, except in Surat al-Naml. Allah the Exalted said:
Indeed, it is from Solomon, and indeed, it reads: 'In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful,
إِنَّهُ مِنْ سُلَيْمَانَ وَإِنَّهُ بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِit was for separating the surahs, except for al-Bara'ah and al-Anfal, of which it is not a part according to the correct view. It is established in authentic hadith that the Companions who prayed behind the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), and behind Abu Bakr, and behind 'Umar, and behind 'Uthman (may Allah be pleased with them), would recite "Al-Hamdu lillahi Rabb al-'Alamin" aloud, but would not recite "Bismillah al-Rahman al-Rahim" aloud. This indicates that it is not part of al-Fatihah, and that if one omits it, his prayer is valid. It is only recommended to recite it before reading al-Fatihah.
Source
www.alifta.gov.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.