The Status of “Bismillah” in Tarawih

Question

During the completion of the Qur’an in Tarawih, the recitation of “Bismillah al-Rahman al-Rahim” between surahs is sometimes done aloud and sometimes silently. Is there any disagreement about this? Also, is it necessary to recite it at the beginning of every surah, or is reciting it once at the beginning of a single surah sufficient?

Answer

“Bismillah al-Rahman al-Rahim” is a single verse of the Qur’an revealed to separate between surahs, and it is not the first verse of Surah al-Fatiha nor of any other surah. It is stated in al-Durr al-Mukhtar: “It is a single verse from the Qur’an revealed to separate between the surahs, and it is not part of al-Fatiha nor of every surah.

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