Why is the opening supplication (Du'a al-Istiftah) considered a Sunnah according to the majority and the four schools of thought, whereas the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, commanded it in the Hadith of the one who prayed badly, saying: "When you stand for prayer, say the Takbir, then praise Allah as He deserves to be praised, then recite what is easy for you from the Qur'an"?

The apparent meaning of some narrations of the hadith (definition) of Rifaa ibn Rafi indicates that the praise, glorification, and magnification in prayer refer to the opening supplication (Du'a al-Istiftah). Some followers of Imam Ahmad's madhhab (definition), including Ibn Battah, have thus held the view that the opening supplication is obligatory. However, the opinion of its obligation has not been transmitted from Imam Ahmad nor from the early Salaf imams. The majority of scholars consider the opening supplication to be a Sunnah (definition) and not obligatory, and that it is among the recommended matters. Ibn al-Mundhir, Ibn Qudamah, and Al-Nawawi have all indicated that the opening supplication is recommended and not obligatory. Therefore, the preponderant view is that it is a recommended Sunnah and not obligatory, and none of the predecessors of the Ummah have ever stated its obligation.