QUESTION:
Please explain the ruling of reciting Surah Fatihah in the last two rak’ahs of the Fard prayers (of Zuhr, Asr, Isha) [when praying alone].
ANSWER:
In the last two rak’ahs of a fardh prayer you have a choice to either;
1. Recite Surah al-Fatiha, or
2. Recite tasbih, or
3. Remain silent – and then do ruku (bow) and sujood (prostration).
It says in Quduri:
و هو مخير في الأخريين إن شاء قرأ الفاتحة و إن شاء سبح و إن شاء سكت
It says in Nur al-Idah and its commentary Maraqi:
تسن قراة الفاتحة فيما بعد الأوليين
This statement proves that it is better to recite Surah Fatihah (in the last two rak’ahs).
To recite another Surah after Surah Fatihah in that last two rak’at of a fardh prayer is makruh-e-tanzihi (disliked) because it is against the Sunnah, but if someone does then he doesn’t need to do sajdah sahw (prostration of forgetfulness).
ضم سورة في الأ خريين المختار لا يكره تحر يما بل تنزيها لأ نه خلاف السنة وفي أظهر الروايات لا يجب عليه سجدتا السهو
[Radd-ul-Mukhtar vol 1 pg 338]
Allah knows best.
Answered by Mufti Shams ul Huda Misbahi [taken from Fatawa Kanzul Imaan]
Translated by Mawlana Muhammad Rashid Madani
Also see:
[Q-ID0082] Do I have to recite a Surah in every rak’ah of Sunnah and Nawafil prayers?
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