How sound is the permissibility of reciting Al-Fatiha at engagements and marriages, based on some people's deduction that the practice of the Salaf involved reciting it to facilitate matters and fulfill needs, and what was narrated from Ata?
Al-Fatiha is the greatest surah in the Qur’an, and one should recite it frequently, ponder upon its meanings, and act upon its guidance. However, it is not permissible to innovate acts of worship that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, did not legislate. Acts of worship are based on divine revelation (tawqif), not innovation (ibtida'), and every innovation is misguidance. Scholarly fatwas have indicated that reciting Al-Fatiha at an engagement ceremony or in commercial transactions is an innovation, and that the Sunnah is the Khutbat al-Hajah (Sermon of Need). Prophetic invocations (adhkar) and supplications (du'as) are the best and safest. No one is permitted to legislate for people unlegislated invocations and supplications, making them a regular act of worship, as this is an innovation in religion. As for the fatwa that claimed the practice of the righteous predecessors involved reciting Al-Fatiha in public matters, there is no evidence for it. The statement attributed to Ata' in this regard has a very weak chain of narration and cannot be used as proof.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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