841 - al-Musayyab ibn Wadih narrated to us, saying: Abu Ishaq al-Fazari narrated to us, from al-'Ala' ibn al-Musayyab, from Hammad, who said: "The Fatihah of the Book and a verse are sufficient in a rak'ah."

Chapter: Regarding one who forgets to recite the Fatihah of the Book in the last two rak'ahs

• Ahmad was asked about a man who was praying, and when he stood for the two rak'ahs, he forgot to recite the Fatihah of the Book, so he recited [another] portion of the Quran. He said: "What is wrong with that? Has he not recited the Quran?"

• Ishaq was asked about a man who omitted the recitation in the last two [rak'ahs]. He said: "If it was out of forgetfulness, then there is nothing upon him; but if it was intentional, then he has done wrong, though we do not consider that he must repeat [the prayer]."

• I also heard Ishaq say: "Recite the Fatihah of the Book and a surah in each of the first two rak'ahs, and [only] the Fatihah of the Book in the last two. Never engage in tasbih [instead of recitation], for the Sunnah has been authentically established from the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, and the Caliphs after him, such as Abu Bakr, 'Umar, 'Ali, and those among the Companions of the Prophet who came after them, to the extent that 'Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, wrote to the garrison towns [saying]: 'Recite the Fatihah of the Book in the last two [rak'ahs].' Indeed, what has been mentioned [supporting] the tasbih in the last two [rak'ahs] is from a weak source regarding 'Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, and it has..."