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A Description of the Prophet’s Prayer

Reciting the Basmalah Aloud in the Prayer
Opposes the Sunnah and Amounts to Innovation
By Shaykh Fawzee al-Atharee al-Bahrainee
From the Book "Adwaa al-Athariyyah Fee Bayaan Inkaar as-Salaf Ba'duhum Li
Ba'd Fee Masaa'il il-Khilaaf al-Fiqhiyyah"


The Shaykh (hafidhahullaah) said:

Amongst the issues of khilaaf is the saying that "Bismillaahir-Rahmaanir-
Raheem" is said aloud in the prayer, and it is the saying of Imaam ash-Shaafi'ee
(rahimahullaah). And amongst them are those who have tended to the view that
one has a choice between saying it loud or silently. However, all of this is in
opposition to the action of the one who brought the legislation, Muhammad
bin Abdullaah (sallallaahu alaihi wasallam), which is that he used to recite it
silently. And here is the evidence:

[1] From Anas bin Malik (radiallaahu anhu) who said, "The Prophet
(sallallaahu alaihi wasallam), Abu Bakr, Umar and Uthmaan (radiallaahu
anhum) used to open their prayer with "Alhamdulillaahi Rabbil-`Aalameen".

And in another wording, "I prayed behind the Prophet (sallallaahu alaihi
wasallam) and Abu Bakr, Umar and Uthmaan (radiallaahu anhum), and they
did not recite "Bismillaahir-Rahmaanir-Raheem" aloud".

And in another wording, "I prayed behind the Messenger (sallallaahu alaihi
wasallam), Abu Bakr, Umar and Uthmaan, and I did not hear any of them
recite "Bismillaahir-Rahmaanir-Raheem" aloud".

These words are established from Anas, and they have numerous routes that go
back to him. Amongst them:
a) From Qataadah, from him: Reported by Bukhaaree in his Saheeh
(2/226), also in Juz al-Qiraa'ah (p.35), Muslim in his Saheeh (1/299),
Abu Dawud in his Sunan (2/15), an-Nasaa'ee in Sunan al-Kubraa (1/314)
and also in Sunan as-Sughraa (2/135), and Ibn Maajah in his Sunan
(1/267), and Ahmad in his Musnad (3/111) ... [another 20 or so
references omitted here for brevity...]
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b) From Humaid at-Taweel, from him: Reported by Maalik in al-Muwatta
(1/81), and also in al-Mudawwanat ul-Kubraa (1/67), and al-Bukhaaree in
Juz ul-Qiraa'ah (p.36), and Ibn Abdul-Barr in at-Tamheed (2/229), and
Ibn Abee Shaybah in his Musannaf (1/410) and Ahmad in his Musnad
(3/168) ... [another 8 or so references omitted here for brevity...]. Its
isnaad is SAHEEH.

c) From Thaabit al-Bunaanee, from him: Reported by Tamaam in al-
Fawaa'id (1/340), Bukhaaree in Juz ul-Qiraa'ah (p.85), Ahmad in his
Musnad (3/168,203,264,286), al-Khaleelee in al-Irshaad (2/492), al-
Baghawee in Sharh us-Sunnah (3/52), Ibn al-Mundhir in al-Awsat (3/120)
... [another 8 or so references omitted here for brevity...]. Its isnaad is
SAHEEH.
d) From Ishaaq bin Abdullaah bin Abu Talha, from him: Reported by
Muslim in his Saheeh (1/300), Bukhaaree in Juz ul-Qiraa'ah (p.35), ad-
Daaraqutnee in his Sunan (1/316), at-Tahaawee in Sharh Ma'aanee al-
Aathaar (1/202), Ibn Abdul-Barr in al-Insaaf (2/172), Ibn al-Jawzee in at-
Tahqeeq (1/290), al-Khateeb al-Baghdaadee in al-Jahr bil-Basmalah
(p.189 of the mukhtasir). Its isnaad is SAHEEH.
e) From Abu Qilaabah, from him: Ibn Hibbaan in his Saheeh (3/145],and
Ibn Abdul-Barr in al-Insaaf (2/176). Its isnaad is SAHEEH.
f) From Mansoor bin Zaadaan, from him: Reported by an-Nasaa'ee in
Sunan al-Kubraa (1/315), Ibn Abdul-Barr in al-Insaaf (2/177). Its isnaad
is SAHEEH.
g) From al-Hasan, from him: At-Tabaraanee in al-Mu'jam al-Kabeer (1/55),
Ibn Hajar in Muwaafaqut al-Khabar (1/297), Ibn Khuzaimah in his
Saheeh (1/250), al-Iraaqee in al-Amaalee (p.47), at-Tahaawee in Sharh
Ma'aanee al-Aathaar (1/203). Its isnaad is SAHEEH.
h) From Maalik bin Deenaar, from him: [...references omitted for
brevity...]. Its isnaad is DA'EEF due to Abu Ishaaq al-Khumaisee bin al-
Hasan who is da'eef as occurs in at-Taqreeb (p.186)
i) From Aa'idh bin Shuraih, from him: [...references omitted for brevity...].
Its isnaad is DA'EEF as it contains Aa'idh bin Shuraih who is da'eef as
occurs in al-Meezaan of adh-Dhahabee (3/77).

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j) Also narrated through Hishaam ad-Dustawaa'ee (but sanad is
MUNQATI'), az-Zuhree, (the sanad is HASAN), and Hammaad (but
sanad is DA'EEF due to two defects).

Ibn Hajr (rahimahullaah) said in al-Fath (20/277), "And his saying, "So they did
not say "Bismillaahir-Rahmaanir-Raheem" aloud", meaning that the intent is
that they used to recite Bismillaahir-Rahmaanir-Raheem, but silently, without
making it audible".

[2] From Ibn `Abbaas (radiallaahu anhumaa) who said, "Reciting Bismillaahir-
Rahmaanir-Raheem aloud is the recitation of the Bedouin Arabs".

ATHAR SAHEEH. Reported by Ibn Abee Shaybah in al-Musannaf (1/411),
Abdur-Razzaaq in al-Musannaf (2/89), Ibn al-Mundhir in al-Awsat (3/127), al-
Bayhaqee in al-Ma'rifah (2/377), at-Tahaawee in Ma'aanee al-Aathaar (1/119),
and Ahmad in al-Musnad (1/374 ­ Nasbur-Raayah), by way of Sufyaan bin
Abdul-Malik bin Abee Bushayr, from Ikrimah from Ibn `Abbaas.

I say: Its sanad is SAHEEH, all of its men are thiqah.

[3] From Ikrimah that he said, "I am a Bedouin Arab if I was to recite
Bismillaahir-Rahmaanir-Raheem aloud".

ATHAR SAHEEH. Reported by al-Athram as occurs in Nasb ur-Raayah
(1/347,348), with an established isnaad, as said by az-Zayla'ee.

I say: His describing the recitation of the basmalah loudly as being the
recitation of the Bedouin Arabs is because the Bedouin Arab does not known
the limits set by Allaah, due to his ignorance, and because the Bedouin Arabs
do not learn, and nor do they have amongst them one who will teach them.
Thus, on account of their ignorance, they do not distinguish between the truth
and falsehood.

[4] From al-Aswad who said, "I prayed behind `Umar seventy prayers, and he
never recited Bismillaahir-Rahmaanir-Raheem aloud".

ATHAR HASAN. Reported by Ibn Abee Shaybah in al-Musannaf (1/3610,
and Ibn al-Mundhir in al-Awsat (3/128), by way of Ishaaq bin Sulaymaan ar-
Raazee from Abu Sinaan from Hammaad from Ibraaheem from al-Aswad.

I say: Its sanad is Hasan. And Ibn Abdul-Barr also mentioned it from this angle
in al-Insaaf (p.240).

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[5] From Abu Waa'il, who said, "That he heard `Umar bin al-Khattaab opening
the prayer with "Alhamdulillaah bi Rabbil-`Aalameen", meaning, he would
recite Bismillaahir-Rahmaanir-Raheem silently.

ATHAR HASAN. Reported by `Abdur-Razzaaq in al-Musannaf (2/93), and
Ibn al-Mundhir in al-Awsat (3/128).

I say: This sanad is Hasan.

[6] From Zarr from Abdullaah bin Mas'ood, "That he used to begin his
recitation with "Alhamdulillaahi Rabbil-`Aalameen", meaning he used to recite
Bismillaahir-Rahmaanir-Raheem inwardly.

ATHAR HASAN. Reported by Ibn Abee Shaybah in al-Musannaf (1/360) by
way of Yahyaa bin Sa'eed al-Qattaan from Sa'eed bin Abee `Aroobah from
Aasim from Zarr.

I say: Its isnaad is Hasan.

[7] From Hishaam from his father and from Ibn az-Zubayr, "that they both did
not used to recite (the Basmalah) aloud".

Reported by Ibn Abee Shaybah in al-Musannaf (1/360), and Ibn al-Mundhir in
al-Awsat (3/128) from Abu Usaamah from Hishaam.

I say: Its isnaad is Saheeh.

[8] From Humaid from Anas, "that he used to begin his prayer with
"Alhamdulillaahi Rabbil-`Aalameen".

ATHAR SAHEEH. Reported by Ibn Abee Shaybah in al-Musannaf (1/360)
from Abu Khaalid al-Ahmar from Humaid.

I say: This sanad is Saheeh.

[9] From Ibraaheem who said, "They never used to recite Bismillaahir-
Rahmaanir-Raheem aloud".

ATHAR SAHEEH. Reported by Ibn Abee Shaybah in al-Musannaf, as occurs
in al-Insaaf of Ibn Abdil-Barr (p.254) from Hushaym, who said, "Husain
informed us", from Ibraaheem.

I say: Its sanad is Saheeh.
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[10] From Ibn `Awn from Ibn Seereen, "that he used to recite Bismillaahir-
Rahmaanir-Raheem silently".

ATHAR SAHEEH. Reported by Ibn Abee Shaybah from Hushaym who said
"Ibn `Awn informed us".

I say: Its isnaad is SAHEEH. And from this route, it was mentioned by Ibn
Abdul-Barr in al-Insaaf (p.254).

[11] From Shu'bah who said, "I asked al-Hakam and Hammaad and Abu
Ishaaq about reciting aloud, and he said, "Recite Bismillaahir-Rahmaanir-
Raheem to yourself (i.e. in your soul)".

ATHAR SAHEEH. Reported by Ibn Abee Shaybah in al-Musannaf (1/360)
from Wakee' from Shu'bah.

I say: Its sanad is Saheeh.

[12] From `Aasim who said, "I heard Abu Waa'il opening his recitation with
Alhamdulillaahi Rabbil-`Aalameen".

ATHAR HASAN.

Reported by Ibn Abee Shaybah in al-Musannaf (1/360) from the route of Ibn
Mahdee from Hammaad bin Salamah from Aasim.

I say: Its sanad is Hasan.

[13] From Ibraaheem who said, "The Imaam should lighten his recitation of]
Bismillaahir-Rahmaanir-Raheem".

ATHAR SAHEEH.

Reported by Ibn Abee Shaybah in al-Musannaf (1/360) by way of Hishaam who
said, "Hussain informed us", and also Mugheerah from Ibraaheem.

I say: Its sanad is Saheeh.

And Abdur-Razzaaq also reported it in al-Musannaf (2/87) from Ma'mar, from
Hammaad from Ibraaheem.

I say: This sanad is Saheeh also.
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Al-Haafidh Ibn `Abdul-Barr said in al-Insaaf (p.240), "All of this is the
madhhab of the Kufians and also most of the Iraqees, and they used to
consider whatever opposed it to be a bid'ah", meaning reciting the Basmalah
aloud in the prayer.

And Ibn Abdul-Barr said in al-Istidhkaar (2/179), "Some of the Scholars
declare anything that opposes the Sunnah to be Bid'ah".

And Wakee' said, "Reciting the Basmalah aloud is an innovation". (Refer to
Tadkhirat ul-Huffaadh of adh-Dhahabee 1/309).

And the son of Imaam Ahmad, Abdullaah, reported from him, in al-Masaa'il
(p.72), that he said, "A man says, "Bismillaahir-Rahmaanir-Raheem" at the
beginning of every Surah". So it was said to my father, "I man recites al-
Faatihah, while he is prayer, and then when he finishes it he begins another
Surah, opening it with Bismillaahir-Rahmaanir-Raheem?" He [Imaam Ahmad]
said, "Yes, but he does not recite it aloud...".

This is also reported by his son Saalih in al-Masaa'il (1/479,480).

ATHAR SAHEEH.

It was reported by Ibn Abdul-Barr in al-Insaaf (p.293) by way of Sa'eed bin
Uthmaan al-A'naaqee who said that Abdullaah bin Muhammad bin Khaalid
informed us, who said Asbagh bin al-Faraj informed us.

I say: This sanad is Saheeh.

As for the ahaadeeth that explain that reciting Bismillaahir-Rahmaanir-Raheem
aloud in the prayer is a legislated matter, then all of them are weak (da'eef), and
no proof can be established by way of them. And I have mentioned them in my
book, "Al-Jawaahir al-Muntaqaa Fee Tabyeen Hukm Qiraa'at al-Basmalah Fis-
Salaat".

Abu Hafs al-Hanafee said in al-Mughnee (p. 258), "Ad-Daaraqutnee said,
"Everything that is reported from the Prophet (sallallaahu alaihi wasallam)
concerning reciting Bismillaahir-Rahmaanir-Raheem loudly, then it is not
authentic (saheeh)"."

And adh-Dhahabee said in al-Mukhtasir (p. 178), "And reciting aloud (i.e. the
Basmalah) has been reported by way of rejected narrations".

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And Ibn Abdul-Haadee said in at-Tanqeeh at-Tahqeeq (2/831), "And weak
ahaadeeth, besides these, have been reported concerning reciting aloud (i.e. the
Basmalah), there is no need to even mention them."

And Ibn Qudaamah said in al-Mughnee (1/522), "All of the narrations
concerning reciting aloud are weak".

And al-Albaanee said in Tamaam ul-Minnah (p.169), "And the truth is that
there is not a single clear authentic hadeeth on the subject of reciting the
Basmalah aloud".

And az-Zaila'ee also declared the ahaadeeth pertaining to reciting the Basmalah
aloud to be da'eef (weak) in Nasb ur-Raayah (1/323), and Ibn al-Jawzee in at-
Tahqeeq (1/296), and az-Zubaydee in Ittihaaf as-Saadah (3/299), and Abul-Fadl
al-Maqdisee in at-Tasmeeyah [Qaf/13/Taa].

A Lofty Benefit

Muhammad bin Abdur-Rahmaan bin al-`Abbaas informed us, saying: Abul-
Fadl Shu'ayb bin Muhammad bin Raajiyaan narrated us saying: Alee bin Harb
al-Mawsilee narrated to us - in the year 257H - saying: I heard Shu'ayb bin
Harb saying: I said to Abu Abdullaah Sufyaan bin Sa'eed ath-Thawree: Narrate
to me a hadeeth from the Sunnah by which Allaah - the Mighty and Majestic -
will benefit me, so that when I stand in front of Allaah - the Blessed and
Exalted - and He asks me concerning it, saying: "From where did you get take
this?", I will say: "O my Lord, Sufyaan ath-Thawree narrated this hadeeth to
me and I took it from him" - so that I am saved and (then) you are questioned
for it.

So Sufyaan said: "O Shu'ayb, this is an assurance and what (other) assurance
(can be better than this)? Write:

In the Name of Allaah, Most-Merciful Ever-Merciful (to His Believing
Servants). The Qur'aan is the Word of Allaah. It is not created. It originated
from Him and to Him it will return. Whoever says other than this is a
disbeliever.

And eemaan consists of speech, action and intention. It increases and
decreases. It increases with acts of obedience and it decreases with acts of
disobedience. No speech is accepted except with action, and no speech and
action are accepted except with intention, and no speech, action and intention
are accepted unless they agree with the Sunnah.

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Shu'ayb said: I said: "O Abu Abdullaah, and what is agreement with the
Sunnah?" He said:

Advancing the two Shaikhs: Abu Bakr and Umar - may Allaah be pleased with
them both. O Shu'ayb what you have written will not benefit you until you put
Uthmaan and Alee ahead of those who come after them. O Shu'ayb bin Harb,
what you have written for yourself will not benefit you until you do not testify
for anyone that he is in Paradise or Hellfire save the ten concerning whom the
Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu alaihi wasallam) testified for - and all of them
are from Quraysh. O Shu'ayb bin Harb, what you have written for yourself will
not benefit you until you hold that wiping over the khuffain is better to you than
taking them off when washing your feet.

O Shu'ayb what you have written will not benefit you until saying `Bismillaahir
Rahmaanir Raheem' silently in the prayer is more excellent to you than that
you should say it out aloud."

Reported by al-Laalikaa'ee in al-I'tiqaad (1/151). Its sanad is Saheeh.

And adh-Dhahabee said in Tadhkirat ul-Huffaadh (1/207), "This is established
from Sufyaan".

I say: The issue of reciting the Basmalah aloud has been entered into the affairs
of aqeedah as is apparent from the words of Sufyaan (rahimahullaah ta'aalaa),
and it is narrated in the affair of belief from the angle of walaa and baraa
(loyalty and disownment), and abandoning the signs and manifestations of Ahl
ul-Bida'. And this is because the Shi'ah, Raafidah hold that the Basmalah is to
be recited aloud, and they are amongst Ahl ul-Bida', and the greatest liars
amongst all the various factions. Thus, they fabricated those ahaadeeth, and
most of the ahaadeeth pertaining to reciting the Basmalah aloud, then there is
to be found amongst the narrators (of these ahaadeeth) those who have been
attributed to at-Tashayyu' (Shi'ism). Hence, reciting the Basmalah aloud
became from amongst the distinguishing features (slogans, signs) of the
Rawaafid. And boycotting, abandoning the slogans, or distinguishing signs of
the People of Innovation is actually from the religion. To such an extent that
the Noble Imaam, Ibn Abee Hurairah [al-Hasan bin al-Husain Abu Alee Ibn
Abu Hurairah al-Qaadee al-Faqeeh al-Baghdaadee, one of the Scholars of the
Shaafi'iyyah], who is one of the foremost of the companions of ash-Shaafi'ee
used used to abandon reciting the Basmalah aloud and would say that it has
become one of the slogans, signs of the Rawaafid.

Al-`Aynee said in al-Binaayah (2/232), "And lying upon the Prophet (sallallaahu
alaihi wasallam) and his companions increased concerning the ahaadeeth
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pertaining to reciting aloud (i.e. the Basmalah), because the Shi'ah held it to be
recited aloud, and they are greatest of liars amongst all the various factions.
Hence, they fabricated those ahaadeeth, and Abu Alee bin Abee Hurairah, one
of the foremost companions of ash-Shaafi'ee used to abandon reciting the
Basmalah aloud and would say that it has become one of the slogans, signs of
the Rawaafid. And the majority of the ahaadeeth pertaining to reciting aloud,
then there is to be found amongst the narrators (of these ahaadeeth) those who
have been attributed to at-Tashayyu' (Shi'ism)."


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From SP