Abu Hanifah, Malik, al-Awza'i, and 'Abd Allah ibn Ma'bad al-Zamani (14). There is a difference of opinion narrated from Ahmad regarding it; it was said concerning him: it is an independent verse that used to be revealed between two surahs as a separator between the surahs. Also from him: it is merely part of a verse from Surat al-Naml. Likewise, 'Abd Allah ibn Ma'bad and al-Awza'i said: Allah did not reveal {In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful} except in Surat al-Naml (16): {It is from Solomon, and it is: In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful} (17). The evidence that it is not from the Fatiha is what was narrated by Abu Hurayrah, who said: I heard the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) say: "Allah the Exalted says: I have divided the prayer between Myself and My servant into two halves, and for My servant is what he asks. When the servant says: {All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds}, Allah the Exalted says: My servant has praised Me. When he says: {The Most Gracious, 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 from You alone we seek help}, Allah says: This is between Me and My servant, and for My servant is what he asks. When he says: {Guide us to the straight path, the path of those upon whom You have bestowed favor, not of those who have evoked [Your] anger, nor of those who are astray}, He says: This is for My servant, and for My servant is what he asks." Reported by Muslim (18). If {In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful} were a verse, he would have counted it (19) and started with it, and the 'halving' would not have been fulfilled, because the verses of praise would be four and a half, and the verses of supplication [two and a half] (20). According to what we have mentioned, the halving is fulfilled. If it is said: "But 'Abd Allah ibn Ziyad ibn Sam'an (21) narrated: 'He says...