2/131. Chapter:
Sunan Abi Dawud 782 — Beginning Recitation with Al-Fatihah
Those Who Do Not Say That "Bismilaahir-Rahmanir-Rahim" Should Be Said Aloud
Hadith About Reciting Al-Fatihah at the Start of Prayer
Sunan Abi Dawud : 782
Sunan Abi DawudHadith Number 782
حَدَّثَنَا مُسْلِمُ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، حَدَّثَنَا هِشَامٌ، عَنْ قَتَادَةَ، عَنْ أَنَسٍ، أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَأَبَا بَكْرٍ وَعُمَرَ وَعُثْمَانَ كَانُوا يَفْتَتِحُونَ الْقِرَاءَةَ بِـ { الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ } .
Anas Narrated from:
The Prophet (peace be upon hm), Abu Bakr, ‘Umar and ‘Uthman used to begin the recitation with “Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Universe.”
[1] Al-Fātiḥah 1:2.Reference : Sunan Abi Dawud 782In-book reference : Book 2, Hadith 392English translation : Book 2, Hadith 781
Summary of Sunan Abi Dawud Hadith 782
This hadith focuses on recitation in prayer, especially beginning with Al-Fatihah. Anas reports that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم, Abu Bakr, Umar, and Uthman began the recitation with the words, Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Universe. This points to the place of Al-Fatihah in salah and shows a clear pattern followed by the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم and the early leaders after him. The hadith is short, but its lesson is direct. It shows that prayer recitation begins with praise of Allah. For someone searching for a hadith about reciting Al-Fatihah, this narration gives a simple report of practice, not a long ruling or outside story. It keeps the focus on how recitation started in prayer.
What we learn from this hadith
- Al-Fatihah was used at the beginning of prayer recitation.
- The practice is reported from the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم and three early caliphs.
- Prayer recitation begins with praise of Allah.
- Short narrations can carry clear guidance about worship.
