The position championed by al-Shāfiʿī is also held by a group of Companions and Successors. Their proof is the report transmitted by al-Nasāʾī and others on the authority of Abū Hurayrah: he led the prayer and recited the basmalah aloud; when he had finished he declared, “My prayer resembles that of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ more than anyone else’s.”

The contrary practice—refraining from raising the voice with the basmalah—is the view adopted by the majority of scholars. It is related from the Rightly Guided Caliphs and numerous early and later authorities, and this is the soundest of the various opinions.

Shaykh al-Islām stated: “Persistently reciting it aloud is an innovation that contradicts the sunnah of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. Every ḥadīth that explicitly supports audible recitation is fabricated.”

Ibn al-Qayyim added that the sole narrator who reports Abū Hurayrah as reciting it aloud is Nuʿaym al-Mujmir; none of the other eight transmitters from Abū Hurayrah—whether Companion or Follower—mention it.

Among the strongest proofs that audible recitation is not prescribed is the ḥadīth recorded by Muslim (395). Abū Hurayrah reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “Allah, exalted is He, declared, ‘I have divided the prayer between Myself and My servant in two halves. When the servant says, “All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds,” Allah says, “My servant has praised Me.” When he says, “The Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful,” Allah says, “My servant has extolled Me.” When he says, “Master of the Day of Judgment,” Allah says, “My servant has glorified Me.” When he says, “You alone we worship and You alone we ask for help,” Allah says, “This is between Me and My servant, and for My servant is what he asks.” And when he says, “Guide us to the straight path…,” Allah says, “This is for My servant, and for My servant is what he requests.”’ ”

This authentic proof shows that the basmalah is not part of al-Fātiḥah, for it is not mentioned in the divine discourse. Accordingly, the preponderant, correct view is that it should not be recited aloud. Allah knows best.