Regarding Recitation of the Qur'an During Prayers... On the web page www.moslem.org I read that we received our practices of Sunnah from the prophet Abraham. In one of the articles that I read, it says that when we pray that we should only say "Al-Fatiha" and no other Surah because that is not a part of the tradition through Abraham we received. They also say that how can you say a Surah like Surat Al-Iklas (which says "Say" at the beginning) to God when you are speaking to Him in your prayer. Would you like to comment on these claims? Magdi Salhab, USA Reply I tend to agree with the statement that most of the practices entailed in the Sunnah of the Prophet (pbuh) are, generally, those that were a part of the Abrahamic tradition of religion. This, however, does not mean that we received the Sunnah from the prophet Abraham (pbuh). For us - Muslims - the source of the Sunnah is not the prophet Abraham (pbuh) but the Prophet Mohammed (pbuh). Moreover, there are practices in the Sunnah , which the Prophet (pbuh) initiated for the first time, as for instance the Adhaan [1] and the Iqaamah [2] . Both the Adhaan as well as the Iqaamah , by their very nature, are practices initiated by the Prophet (pbuh). As far as Sala'h (the daily prayers) is concerned, it seems that even though it is a part of the Abrahamic tradition of religion, yet the Prophet (pbuh), made some modifications in it, according to God's directives, and then promoted it among the Muslims. This has primarily been due to the incorporation, wherever necessary, of the final guidance of God delivered to man through the last Prophet (pbuh). Thus, according to my concept of the Sunnah of the Prophet (pbuh), it, generally, entails those practices of the Abrahamic tradition of religion, as were approved, with or without any modification, by the Prophet (pbuh). According to this Sunnah of the Prophet (pbuh), Muslims should recite a part of the Qur'an, after the recitation of Surah Al-Faatihah , during the first two rak'ah of the Fajr , Maghrib and `Ishaa prayers. The cited objection regarding the recitation of a part of the Qur'an after Surah Al-Faatihah is due to a slight misinterpretation of this practice. Sala'h signifies a dialogue between man and God, rather than a one-way communication. During the Qiyaam [3] , it is quite evident that we recite Surah Al-Faatihah as a supplication to God for our guidance to the straight path. The recitation of the Qur'an that follows the recitation of Surah Al-Faatihah is not a continuation of our supplication for guidance but, on the contrary, a response to it. This recitation of a part of the Qur'an, as a response to our supplication for guidance to the path of eternal success, signifies the Islamic belief that, with the advent of the last Prophet (pbuh), the Qur'an is the only reliable path to eternal success and salvation. The above explanation should also explain the recitation of Surahs like Surah Al-Ikhlaas , which are addressed not to God, but to man in response to his supplication for guidance. I hope this helps. Regards, Moiz Amjad , Otherwise you may simply Close this Window [1] The public call for Sala'h . [2] The local announcement of the initiation of Sala'h . [3] i.e. the standing posture during the Sala'h .