Is it permissible to say the Basmalah aloud before and after Al-Fatiha in a loud prayer, or should it be recited silently?

Scholars differ on reciting the Basmalah aloud before Al-Fatihah. Some say it is a Sunnah (recommended practice), while others say the Sunnah is to recite it silently. Some scholars have favored the view that it is like any other verse of the Qur'an: recited aloud where other verses are recited aloud, and silently where other verses are recited silently. It has been reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) recited the Basmalah both aloud and silently, but silent recitation was more frequent. The Sunnah is to recite the Basmalah silently, but there is no harm in reciting it aloud occasionally, to combine between the various evidences.