The answer to the hadith of Anas has already been provided. The form of seeking refuge is to say: "I seek refuge in Allah from the accursed Satan" (4). This is the view of Abu Hanifah and al-Shafi'i, based on the saying of Allah the Exalted: "So seek refuge in Allah from Satan, the expelled." It is narrated from Ahmad that he should say: "I seek refuge in Allah, the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing, from the accursed Satan," based on the report of Abu Sa'id and the saying of Allah the Exalted: "So seek refuge in Allah; indeed, He is the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing" (5). This contains an addition (6). Hanbal reported from him that he adds after that: "Indeed, Allah is the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing." All of this is acceptable, and however one seeks refuge, it is good. He should recite the seeking of refuge silently and not aloud; I am not aware of any disagreement regarding this.

148- Issue; He said: (Then he recites: "Praise be to Allah, Lord of the Worlds").

The sum of this is that the recitation of the Fatiha is obligatory in the prayer and is a pillar (rukn) of its pillars; the prayer is not valid without it according to the well-known position of Ahmad, as reported from him by the group. This is the view of Malik, al-Thawri, and al-Shafi'i. It is narrated from Umar ibn al-Khattab, Uthman ibn Abi al-As, and Khawat ibn Jubayr (7), may Allah be pleased with them, that they said: "There is no prayer except with the recitation of the Opening of the Book (Fatihat al-Kitab)." Another version is narrated from Ahmad, that it is not specifically designated, and the recitation of any verse from the Quran, from any place whatsoever, suffices. This is the view of Abu Hanifah, based on the Prophet's (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) instruction to the one who performed his prayer poorly: "Then recite what is easy for you from the Quran" (8), and the saying of Allah the Exalted: "So recite what is easy of the Quran" (9), and His saying: "So recite what is easy of it" (9). [This is also because] the Fatiha and the rest of the Quran are equal in all other rulings, so it is the same in prayer.