More astonishing still is that one distinguished jurist attributed no hadith in his book to al-Bukhārī except a hadith concerning the basmalah (“In the name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful”)—yet that hadith is not in al-Bukhārī. If this is the extent of someone’s knowledge of hadith, how competent can such people be in this field?

Alternatively, these reports are narrated by those who compiled material on this subject, such as al-Dāraqutnī, al-Khatīb, and others. They collected whatever had been narrated; when asked about its authenticity, they answered according to their knowledge. For example, when al-Dāraqutnī came to Egypt, he was asked to compile the hadiths concerning reciting the basmalah aloud. After he had collected them, he was asked, “Is any of this authentic?”

He replied, “As for reports from the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace), no. As for reports from the Companions, some are authentic and some are weak.”

Abū Bakr al-Khatīb was asked a similar question and mentioned two hadiths. One concerned Mu‘āwiyah when he led the prayer in Medina. Al-Shāfi‘ī (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated it, saying:

“‘Abd al-Majīd narrated to us from Ibn Jurayj, who said that ‘Abd Allāh ibn ‘Uthmān ibn Khuthaym had informed him that Abū Bakr ibn Hafs ibn ‘Umar had informed him that Anas ibn Mālik said:

‘Mu‘āwiyah led the prayer in Medina, reciting the Mother of the Quran aloud. He recited “In the name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful” with the Mother of the Quran, but did not recite it with the surah that followed it. Nor did he say “Allah is the Greatest” when lowering himself, throughout that prayer. When he concluded with the salutation, those of the Emigrants who had heard this called out to him from every direction: “Mu‘āwiyah! Have you stolen from the prayer, or did you forget?” When he next led the prayer, he recited “In the name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful” with the surah following the Mother of the Quran, and said “Allah is the Greatest” as he lowered himself into prostration.’”