Is the Sunnah prayer limited to reciting Al-Fatiha, or is it permissible to recite short surahs in addition to Al-Fatiha?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
Reciting a after Al-Fatihah is a and not an obligation. So, if the worshiper limits the recitation to Al-Fatihah, their prayer is valid, whether it is an obligatory or a supererogatory prayer. This is what the four Imams, Al-Thawri, and all scholars have stated, with the exception of those who deemed the recitation of a surah along with Al-Fatihah obligatory. It is better to recite a surah after Al-Fatihah, following the example of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and to avoid disagreement.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/51404
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- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 51404
- 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