Must a Rak'ah be repeated if the Imam was joined while bowing after saying "Bismillahi" instead of the Takbirat al-Ihram?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
The opening Takbir (Takbirat al-) is a pillar without which the prayer is not valid. Therefore, whoever omits it, whether intentionally or out of forgetfulness, their prayer is not valid at all. Neither the Takbir for bowing (ruku') nor any other Takbir can substitute for it. Accordingly, if a worshipper recites the Basmala (Bismillah) by mistake instead of the opening Takbir, their prayer is not valid at all, and they are obliged to repeat it.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/134744
Where this answer came from
- Source platform
- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 134744
- 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