Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.  (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

Salaam. Can you please provide me the recitation of opening Surah of the Quran that has to be recited in namaz.

I have tried looking on your website to ensure I have the correct wording but have not been able to find it.

I would also find it very helpful if you could send me a few examples of short Surahs I can recite after the opening Surah in Rakat 1 & 2. Can the same Surah be used in both Rakats or do they have to be different?

Thank you very much. 

(There may be some grammatical and spelling errors in the above statement. The forum does not change anything from questions, comments and statements received from our readers for circulation in confidentiality.)

Answer:

Transliteration of Surah Fatihah

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is no one (no idol, no person, no grave, no prophet, no imam, no dai, nobody!) worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Your Question: Can you please provide me the recitation of opening Surah of the Quran that has to be recited in namaz.

Beloved Sister, if by the ‘recitation’ you mean the transliteration of the Surah Al-Fatihah in the English language, here follows:

Quran Transliteration Surah Al-Fathiha Surah 1

1 Bismilla_hir rahma_nir rahim.

2 Alhamdu lilla_hi rabbil 'a_lamin.

3 Ar rahma_nir rahim.

4 Ma_liki yaumid din.

5 Iyya_ka na'budu wa iyya_ka nasta'in.

6 Ihdinas siratal mustaqim.

7 Sira_tal lazina an'amta 'alaihim, gairil magdu_bi 'alaihim walad da_llin.

Your Question: I would also find it very helpful if you could send me a few examples of short Surahs I can recite after the opening Surah in Rakat 1 & 2.

Quran Transliteration Surah Al-Kauthar Surah 108

1 In na_ athaina_kal kautsar

2 Fasal li lirab bika wanhar

3 In na sha_ni aka huwal abtar

Quran TransliterationSurah Al-Ikhlaas Surah 112

1 Qul huwal la_hu ahad

2 Allah_hu samad

3 Lam yalid wa lam yu_lad

4 Wa lam yakul lahu_ kufuwan ahad

Quran Transliteration Surah Al-Asr Surah 103

1 Wal asr

2 In nal insa_na lafi khusr

3 Il lal ladzina a_ma_nu_, wa amilus sa_liha_ti, wa tawashau bil haq qi, wa tawa_sau bis sabr

Quran Transliteration Surah Al-Falaq Surah 113

1 Qul au_zu birabil falaq

2 Min sharre ma_ khalaq

3 Wa min shari ga_siqin iza_ waqab

4 Wa min sharin naf fa_sa_ti fil uqad

5 Wa min shari ha_sidin iza_ hasad

Quran TransliterationSurah An-Nas Surah 114

1 Qul au_zu birab bina_s

2 Malikin na_s

3 Ila_hin na_s

4 Min sharil waswa_sil khana_s

5 Alazi yuwas wisu fi sudu_rin na_si

6 Minal jinati wan na_s

Your Question: Can the same Surah be used in both Rakats or do they have to be different?

Although it is best and a preferred Sunnah to recite a different Surah or Verses of the Glorious Rakahs after Surah Al-Fatihah in each of the first two rakahs in prayer, if one has only been able to secure only one Surah to his/her memory, there is absolutely no harm if one recites the same Surah or Verses in both the Rakahs. The prayer in both cases will be deemed valid in the Sight of Allah Subhanah, Insha Allah.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me alone. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

Burhan