Basmalah

The formulation of basmalah (in Arabic الْبَسْمَلَةُ) is this:

Not only does the reading of the Quran start with this formulation, but also the performance of any deed by a Muslim.

Reciting of any surah starts with saying basmalah first, except the surah at-Tawbah. Basmalah is not said when starting to read the surah at-Tawbah. Also, scholars have disagreed on whether basmalah is the ayah of each surah, including the surah al-Fatiha. According to the opinion of Imam al-Shafi’ee (May Allah have mercy on him), it is the ayah of each surah, except the surah at-Tawbah.

There are 4 cases concerning the reading of basmalah between the two surahs (when a person finishes one surah and starts reciting another one right away): three of which are permissible and one is not.

1. It’s not permissible to connect the final words of any surah with the basmalah of the following surah.

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2. Pause at the end of the first surah: allowed.

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3. Connecting everywhere (reading without pauses): allowed.

4. Pausing anywhere: allowed.

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Excercise: practice this rule when reciting the Quran.

Questions:

1. What is basmalah?

2. What is the formula of basmalah?

3. Is basmalah a part of the Quran?

4. How many cases of reading basmalah between the surahs are there? (list each of them and explain, give some examples)?