Q: What is the ruling on reciting a Surah (Qur’anic chapter) after Al-Fatihah in the first two Rak‘ahs (units of Prayer)? If someone forgets to recite them, can they recite them instead in the third and fourth Rak‘ahs or should they perform Sujud-ul-Sahw (Prostration of Forgetfulness)?

A: It is legislated in the Shari‘ah (Islamic law) for the one offering Salah (Prayer) to recite a Surah after reciting Al-Fatihah in the first two Rak‘ahs, as Abu Qatadah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated: “The Prophet (peace be upon him) used to recite the Opening of the Book (Al-Fatihah) followed by another Surah in the first two Rak‘ahs of the Zhuhr (Noon) and the ‘Asr (Afternoon) Prayers. Sometimes he would make us hear the Ayah (Qur’anic verse) recited. He (peace be upon him) used to recite only the Opening of the Book (Al-Fatihah) in the last two Rak‘ahs.” Anyone who forgets to recite a Surah after Al-Fatihah in the first two Rak‘ahs, it is not obligatory to recite it later or compensate for this by performing Sujud-ul-Sahw, because the recitation of a Surah (or Ayahs) after Al-Fatihah is a Sunnah (supererogatory act of worship following the example of the Prophet) and not Wajib (obligatory).May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.