What is the ruling on the Basmalah for reciters at the beginning of surahs and in prayer?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
In the science of Quranic recitations (Qira'at), the Basmalah is obligatory at the beginning of every , with the exception of Surat At-. This obligation is conventional (اصطلاحي). However, from a jurisprudential perspective, the Basmalah before each Surah is recommended (mustahabb) and not obligatory. In prayer, most scholars consider it permissible (mashroo'ah) before Al-Fatihah and every Surah, while the Malikis consider it disliked (makrooh) in prayer, based on the well-known opinion, although some of them have stated its recommendation (istihbab) to avoid disagreement.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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