Nafi`, the manumitted slave of `Abdullah ibn `Umar, narrated...

Nafi`, the manumitted slave of `Abdullah ibn `Umar, narrated to me that `Abdullah ibn `Umar used to recite the Basmalah at the beginning of each Surah.’”[^7] From the aforecited narration, we conclude that the trend of Opinionism and Ijtihad and the trend of thorough compliance with the sacred texts both influenced the jurisprudents of the other ages.

Malik ibn Anas, the jurisprudent of the ruling authorities, did not recite the Basmalah before reciting the verses of the Holy Qur'an while Ishaq al-Musayyabiy believed that the Holy Prophet and the Sahabah did recite it before the recitation of any Surah. It is worth mentioning in this respect that the majority of the jurisprudents of al-Madinah violated the in the issuance of religious rulings, while the majority of the jurisprudents of Iraq agreed with them.

It is also well-known that Malik ibn Anas was, once, summoned by al-Mansur, the `Abbasid ruler, who ordered him, saying, “Write down your knowledge of the religious laws in a book and to avoid the ‘improper’ opinions of `Abdullah ibn Mas`ud and the ‘permissions’ of `Abdullah ibn `Abbas and the ‘rigid’ verdicts of `Abdullah ibn `Umar. You must also follow the middle opinion…