The Ruling on the Basmala at the Start of a Surah
The readers (Qurra) have unanimously agreed on reciting the Basmala at the beginning of each Surah, with the sole exception of Surah Al-Baraa. The Basmala refers to the phrase “In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.” Therefore, anyone commencing the recitation from the beginning of a Surah is required to recite the Basmala, as agreed upon by all readers.
How to Perform the Basmala Between Two Surahs
There are four approved methods for reciting the Basmala between two Surahs, depending on whether one chooses to connect or separate them. These methods apply regardless of whether the Surahs are consecutive or non-consecutive. The first three methods are permissible, while the fourth is not allowed. The methods are as follows:
- First Method: Complete Separation – This involves ending the last verse of the previous Surah before the Basmala and then separating the Basmala from the first verse of the following Surah.
- Second Method: Separation of the Basmala from the last verse of the previous Surah, while connecting the Basmala to the first verse of the next Surah.
- Third Method: Complete Connection – This method connects the last verse of the previous Surah with the Basmala and the first verse of the subsequent Surah.
- Fourth Method: Connecting the last Surah with the Basmala while separating the Basmala from the first verse of the second Surah, which is a unanimously agreed prohibition to prevent the listener from mistakenly thinking that the Basmala belongs to the last Surah.
As for the permissible methods between the seeking refuge (Istiaza) and the Basmala at the beginning of a Surah, they are as follows:
- Complete Connection – connecting the Istiaza, Basmala, and the first verse of the Surah.
- Complete Separation – separating the Istiaza from the Basmala and the first verse of the Surah.
- Connecting the first with the second while separating them from the third – this means connecting the Istiaza with the Basmala, while separating both from the first verse of the Surah.
- Separating the first and connecting the second with the third – this involves separating the Istiaza, while connecting the Basmala and the first verse of the Surah.
The Basmala between Surah Al-Anfal and Surah Al-Tawbah
There are several methods for reciting the Basmala between Surah Al-Anfal and Surah Al-Tawbah, as follows:
- Complete separation between the two Surahs, which means ending Surah Al-Anfal before beginning Surah Al-Tawbah without reciting the Basmala.
- Silent Pause – this involves a brief pause after the last word of Surah Al-Anfal, which is “Aleem,” without taking a breath or using tanween, followed by the start of Surah Al-Tawbah; the pause should last for approximately two beats.
- Connecting the end of Surah Al-Anfal to the beginning of Surah Al-Tawbah without seeking refuge, applying the rule of inversion between the word “Aleem” and the word “Barah.”
- If seeking refuge is recited, the reader may either separate it from the beginning of Surah Al-Barah or connect it to the first verse of that Surah, but without reciting the Basmala.
The Ruling on the Basmala Within a Surah
The reader has the choice to either recite or omit the Basmala while reading within a Surah, and this holds true for both Surah Al-Baraa and any other Surah. Within the context of the Surah, if the reading is done away from the very beginning, even by one word, the reader is given the discretion to recite the Basmala or not, with a preference for its recitation.