Bismillah is the First Ayah of Al-Fatihah

Bismillah is the First Ayah of Al-Fatihah

The Companions started the Book of Allah with Bismillah: In the
Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. (1)

The scholars also agree that Bismillah is a part of an Ayah in
Surat An-Naml (chapter 27). They disagree over whether it is a separate
Ayah before every Surah, or if it is an Ayah, or a part of an Ayah,
included in every Surah where the Bismillah appears in its beginning.
Ad-Daraqutni also recorded a Hadith from Abu Hurayrah from the Prophet
that supports this Hadith by Ibn Khuzaymah. Also, similar statements
were attributed to `Ali, Ibn `Abbas and others.

The opinion that Bismillah is an Ayah of every Surah, except Al-Bara'ah
(chapter 9), was attributed to (the Companions) Ibn `Abbas, Ibn
`Umar, Ibn Az-Zubayr, Abu Hurayrah and `Ali. This opinion was also
attributed to the Tabi`in: `Ata', Tawus, Sa`id bin Jubayr, Makhul
and Az-Zuhri. This is also the view of `Abdullah bin Al-Mubarak,
Ash-Shafi`i, Ahmad bin Hanbal, (in one report from him) Ishaq bin
Rahwayh and Abu `Ubayd Al-Qasim bin Salam. On the other hand, Malik,
Abu Hanifah and their followers said that Bismillah is not an Ayah
in Al-Fatihah or any other Surah. Dawud said that it is a separate
Ayah in the beginning of every Surah, not part of the Surah itself,
and this opinion was also attributed to Ahmad bin Hanbal.

Basmalah aloud in the Prayer

As for Basmalah aloud during the prayer, those who did not agree
that it is a part of Al-Fatihah, state that the Basmalah should
not be aloud. The scholars who stated that Bismillah is a part of
every Surah (except chapter 9) had different opinions; some of them,
such as Ash-Shafi`i, said that one should recite Bismillah with
Al-Fatihah aloud. This is also the opinion of many among the Companions,
the Tabi`in and the Imams of Muslims from the Salaf and the later
generations. For instance, this is the opinion of Abu Hurayrah,
Ibn `Umar, Ibn `Abbas, Mu`awiyah, `Umar and `Ali - according to
Ibn `Abdul-Barr and Al-Bayhaqi. Also, the Four Khalifahs - as Al-Khatib
reported - were said to have held this view although the report
from them is contradicted. The Tabi`in scholars who gave this Tafsir
include Sa`id bin Jubayr, `Ikrimah, Abu Qilabah, Az-Zuhri, `Ali
bin Al-Hasan, his son Muhammad, Sa`id bin Al-Musayyib, `Ata', Tawus,
Mujahid, Salim, Muhammad bin Ka`b Al-Qurazi, Abu Bakr bin Muhammad
bin `Amr bin Hazm, Abu Wa'il, Ibn Sirin, Muhammad bin Al-Munkadir,
`Ali bin `Abdullah bin `Abbas, his son Muhammad, Nafi` the freed
slave of Ibn `Umar, Zayd bin Aslam, `Umar bin `Abdul-Aziz, Al-Azraq
bin Qays, Habib bin Abi Thabit, Abu Ash-Sha`tha', Makhul and `Abdullah
bin Ma`qil bin Muqarrin. Also, Al-Bayhaqi added `Abdullah bin Safwan,
and Muhammad bin Al-Hanafiyyah to this list. In addition, Ibn `Abdul-Barr
added `Amr bin Dinar.

The proof that these scholars relied on is that, since Bismillah
is a part of Al-Fatihah, it should be recited aloud like the rest
of Al-Fatihah. Also, An-Nasa'i recorded in his Sunan, Ibn Hibban
and Ibn Khuzaymah in their Sahihs and Al-Hakim in the Mustadrak,
that Abu Hurayrah once performed the prayer and recited Bismillah
aloud. After he finished the prayer, he said, "Among you, I
perform the prayer that is the closest to the prayer of the Messenger
of Allah .'' Ad-Daraqutni, Al-Khatib and Al-Bayhaqi graded this
Hadith Sahih Furthermore, in Sahih Al-Bukhari it is recorded that
Anas bin Malik was asked about the recitation of the Prophet . He
said, "His recitation was unhurried.'' He then demonstrated
that and recited, while lengthening the recitation of Bismillah
Ar-Rahman Ar-Rahim, Also, in the Musnad of Imam Ahmad, the Sunan
of Abu Dawud, the Sahih of Ibn Hibban and the Mustadrak of Al-Hakim
- it is recorded that Umm Salamah said, "The Messenger of Allah
used to distinguish each Ayah during his recitation,

(In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. All
praise and thanks be to Allah, the Lord of all that exists, the
Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. The Owner of the Day of Recompense.)''

Ad-Daraqutni graded the chain of narration for this Hadith Sahih
Furthermore, Imam Abu `Abdullah Ash-Shafi`i and Al-Hakim in his
Mustadrak, recorded that Mu`awiyah led the prayer in Al-Madinah
and did not recite the Bismillah. The Muhajirin who were present
at that prayer criticized that. When Mu`awiyah led the following
prayer, he recited the Bismillah aloud.

The Hadiths mentioned above provide sufficient proof for the opinion
that the Bismillah is recited aloud. As for the opposing evidences
and the scientific analysis of the narrations mentioned their weaknesses
or otherwise it is not our desire to discuss this subject at this
time.

Other scholars stated that the Bismillah should not be recited
aloud in the prayer, and this is the established practice of the
Four Khalifahs, as well as `Abdullah bin Mughaffal and several scholars
among the Tabi`in and later generations. It is also the Madhhab
(view) of Abu Hanifah, Ath-Thawri and Ahmad bin Hanbal.

Imam Malik stated that the Bismillah is not recited aloud or silently.
This group based their view upon what Imam Muslim recorded that
`A'ishah said that the Messenger of Allah used to start the prayer
by reciting the Takbir (Allahu Akbar; Allah is Greater) and then
recite, (All praise and thanks be to Allah, the Lord of all that
exists.) (Ibn Abi Hatim 1:12). Also, the Two Sahihs recorded that
Anas bin Malik said, "I prayed behind the Prophet , Abu Bakr,
`Umar and `Uthman and they used to start their prayer with, (All
praise and thanks be to Allah, the Lord of all that exists.) Muslim
added, "And they did not mention, (In the Name of Allah, the
Most Gracious, the Most Merciful) whether in the beginning or the
end of the recitation.'' Similar is recorded in the Sunan books
from `Abdullah bin Mughaffal, may Allah be pleased with him.

These are the opinions held by the respected Imams, and their statements
are similar in that they agree that the prayer of those who recite
Al-Fatihah aloud or in secret is correct. All the favor is from
Allah.

The Virtue of Al-Fatihah

Imam Ahmad recorded in his Musnad, that a person who was riding
behind the Prophet said, "The Prophet's animal tripped, so
I said, `Cursed Shaytan.' The Prophet said,

(Do not say, 'Cursed Shaytan,' for if you say these words, Satan
becomes arrogant and says, 'With my strength I made him fall.' When
you say, 'Bismillah,' Satan will become as small as a fly.)

Further, An-Nasa'i recorded in his book Al-Yawm wal-Laylah, and
also Ibn Marduwyah in his Tafsir that Usamah bin `Umayr said, "I
was riding behind the Prophet...'' and he mentioned the rest of
the above Hadith. The Prophet said in this narration,

(Do not say these words, because then Satan becomes larger; as
large as a house. Rather, say, 'Bismillah,' because Satan then becomes
as small as a fly.)

This is the blessing of reciting Bismillah.

Basmalah is recommended before performing any Deed

Basmalah (reciting Bismillah) is recommended before starting any
action or deed. For instance, Basmalah is recommended before starting
a Khutbah (speech).

The Basmalah is also recommended before one enters the place where
he wants to relieve himself, there is a Hadith concerning this practice.
Further, Basmalah is recommended at the beginning of ablution, for
Imam Ahmad and the Sunan compilers recorded that Abu Hurayrah, Sa`id
bin Zayd and Abu Sa`id narrated from the Prophet , (There is no
valid ablution for he who did not mention Allah's Name in it.) This
Hadith is Hasan (good). Also, the Basmalah is recommended before
eating, for Muslim recorded in his Sahih that the Messenger of Allah
said to `Umar bin Abi Salamah while he was a child under his care,
(Say Bismillah, eat with your right hand and eat from whatever is
next to you.) Some of the scholars stated that Basmalah before eating
is obligatory. Basmalah before having sexual intercourse is also
recommended. The Two Sahihs recorded that Ibn `Abbas said that the
Messenger of Allah said,

(If anyone of you before having sexual relations with his wife
says, 'In the Name of Allah. O Allah! Protect us from Satan and
also protect what you grant us (meaning the coming offspring) from
Satan,' and if it is destined that they should have a child then,
Satan will never be able to harm that child.)