Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Are one supposed to recite “subhanaka’allahuma wa bi hamdika ” (I can’t remember what it’s called) in each rakat before the surat al-Fatiha? And how about saying “bismillah hirrahman nirraheem” when praying behind an imam? I have heard one shouldn’t do so
Walaikum assalam wa rahmatullah,
The sunna is to recite the opening supplication (subhanak ) in the first rakat, and the basmala each time one recites the Fatiha. [Shurunbulali, Nur al-Idah] See attached answer(s).
However, note that the follower does not recite behind the imam, whether in loud or silent prayers.
For details, search the archives at www.sunnipath.com
Wassalam,
Faraz Rabbani
faraz@sunnipath.com
hanafi@sunnipath.com
Imam Abu Hanifa (Allah have mercy on him) said, “Fiqh is to know one’s self: what is for it and against it.”