Is it prescribed to recite the Basmala immediately after Al-Fatiha and before the (next) Surah, and what should be said when starting from the middle of a Surah?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
Reciting the Basmala (Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim) is a recommended act, not an obligatory one. It is recommended when a Muslim recites a from its beginning. Thus, a worshipper should recite it before Al-Fatiha, and if they recite from the beginning of a Surah after Al-Fatiha, they should recite it, except for Surah At-. However, if they recite from the middle of a Surah, it is not recommended for them. The established is that the Prophet (peace be upon him) used to recite the Basmala before Al-Fatiha and before other Surahs, with the exception of Surah At-Tawbah, but he did not recite it audibly in congregational prayers.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/11888
Where this answer came from
- Source platform
- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 11888
- Added here
- . This is when the answer was added to El Fatwa, not the fatwa's date.
- Text
- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
- Read the full ruling
- Read the full answer on Ftawy