ভূমিকা

Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Questions on Jurisprudence Chapter Two: Is The Basmala A Qur'anic Verse? Is It To Be Recited In The Prayer? The opinions of the Muslims who emphasize personal opinions (ahl al-ra'y) have differed on this.

Malik and al-Awza`i have said that the verse is not a part of the Qur'an and have unanimously forbidden its recitation in the obligatory [prayers] whether it be at the beginning of ‘surah’ (a section of Holy Quran) al-Hamd, or, the ‘surah’ after it, or, whether it (the prayer) is recited loudly, or, silently. Yes, they have allowed it's recitation in the supererogatory (non-obligatory) prayers.

As for Abu Hanifa, al-Thawri and their followers, they recited it at the beginning of the mother of the Qur`an (surah al-fatiha); but, they made it compulsory to recite it silently even when the prayers are recited loudly. This shows their agreement with Malik and al-Awza`i; maybe it proves that since we do not know the reason for reciting it silently in the prayers recited loudly except if it (the basmala) is not a part of the mother of the book.

But, al-Shafi`i recited it (the basmala) loudly in the loud prayers, and in the silent prayers he recited it silently. He counted it as a verse in the opening [chapter] of the book. This is [also] the opinion of Ahmad b. Hanbal, Abu Thawr and Abu `Ubayd. Differing reports have been reported from al-Shafi`i as to whether it is a verse in every chapter except for surah al-Bara'a (chapter 9), or, whether it is not a verse except for the mother of the book.

Both reports have been transmitted from him. But, the researchers amongst his companions have agreed that the basmala is a part of all the chapters. They have interpreted away the two sayings reported from their Imam, al-Shafi`i.

As for us, the Imami (Shi’i) community, we have agreed, in following the teachings of the Imams of guidance from the family of the Prophethood, that it is a complete verse in the sab' al-mathani (the seven most repeated verses) and of every chapter in the great Qur`an except for [the chapter of] Surah al-Bara'a (chapter 9) and that one who omits it intentionally in the prayer, his prayer becomes invalid whether it be an obligatory, or, recommended (non-obligatory) prayer.

[We have also agreed that] it is essential to recite it loudly when the prayer is offered loudly, and it is recommended to recite it loudly in the silent prayers, and it is part of a verse of surah al-Naml (chapter 27).