The first is that it is part of al-Fātihah but not of any other surah. This is the position of a group of hadith scholars; I believe it is the view of Abū ‘Ubayd. They cite as evidence the reports stating that the opening formula is part of al-Fātihah. According to their view, reciting it in prayer is obligatory, even if they do not recite it aloud.

The second is that it is not part of al-Fātihah, just as it is not part of any other surah. This is the more evident view.

It is established in the Sahīh that the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—said:

“Allah Most High says, ‘I have divided the prayer between Myself and My servant into two halves: half is for Me and half is for him, and My servant shall have what he asks for.’

“The servant says, ‘All praise is for Allah, Lord of all worlds.’ Allah says, ‘My servant has praised Me.’

“The servant says, ‘The Most Merciful, the Especially Merciful.’ Allah says, ‘My servant has lauded Me.’

“The servant says, ‘Master of the Day of Judgment.’ Allah says, ‘My servant has glorified Me.’

“The servant says, ‘You alone we worship, and You alone we ask for help.’ Allah says, ‘This verse is divided into two halves between Myself and My servant, and My servant shall have what he asks for.’

“The servant says, ‘Guide us to the straight path,’ through to the end of the surah. Allah says, ‘These verses are for My servant, and My servant shall have what he asks for.’”

If the opening formula were part of al-Fātihah, He would have mentioned it as He mentioned the other verses. It does appear in a fabricated hadith transmitted by ‘Abd Allāh ibn Ziyād ibn Sam‘ān, which was cited by the likes of al-Tha‘labī in his Quran commentary and by those who compiled the hadiths about reciting it aloud—all of which are weak or fabricated. Moreover, if it were part of al-Fātihah, the Lord would not have