Aslam

Praise be to Allah.It is not permissible to recite another soorah before

al-Faatahih in the prayer. What is to be recited before al-Faatihah is the opening

du’aa’, then one should say A’oodhu Billaahi min al-Shaytaan ir-Rajeem,

then Bismillaahi ir-Rahmaan ir-Raheem. Whoever recites a soorah before al-Faatihah

has gone against the teachings of the Prophet

(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon

him) who said, “Pray as you have seen me praying.” The Prophet

(peace and

blessings of Allaah be upon him) never recited any soorah of the Qur’aan before

al-Faatihah, rather he would recite an opening du’aa’, such as:

“Wajjahtu wajhiya lilladhi fatara al-samawaati wa’l-ard

haneefan musliman wa maa ana min al-mushrikeen. Inna salaati wa nusuki wa mahyaaya wa

mamaati Lillaahi Rabb il-‘Aalameen, laa shareeka lahu wa bidhaalika umirtu wa ana

awwal ul-muslimeen, Allaahumma anta al-malik… (I have set my face towards the

Originator of the heavens and the earth sincerely [in Islam], and I am not among the

Mushrikeen. Indeed, my prayer, my sacrifice, my living and my dying are for Allaah, the

Lord of the Worlds, no partner has He. With this I have been commanded and I am the first

of the Muslims (those who submit to Him). O Allaah, you are the King…).” (Sifat

Salaat al-Nabi by al-Albaani, 92).

After that, he would seek refuge with Allaah and say Bismillaahi

ir-Rahmaan ir-Raheem, then he would recite al-Faatihah, reciting it aloud or silently

according to the requirements of the prayer being offered. (Sifat Salaat al-Nabi

by al-Albaani, 95-97).