Why is the chapter of al-Fatiha read first in prayers after Subhanaka supplication?

- Is there any evidence from the Quran and the Sunnah about reading it first?

Dear Brother / Sister,

According to Hanafis, it is wajib to read the chapter of al-Fatiha. It is fard according to the other three madhhabs.

The evidences of reading the chapter of al-Fatiha first are the following hadiths: 

"He who does not recite al-Fatiha is not credited with having observed the prayer." (Muslim, Salah, 42; Abu Dawud, Salah, 132)

"A prayer in which Fatihatul-Kitab is not read is not valid." (Tirmidhi, Mawaqit, 29, 116)

"Perform prayers in the same way as I do." (Bukhari, Adhan, 18, Adab, 27, Ahad, 1)

The Prophet read the chapter of al-Fatiha first in prayers.

As a matter of fact, Hz. Aisha stated the following according to a narration:

“The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) always started a prayer with takbir and reading with الْحَمْد لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ (the chapter of al-Fatiha).” (Muslim 498; Abu Dawud 783)

According to a narration, Anas said,

“The Messenger of Allah, Abu Bakr, Umar and Uthman always started reading with the chapter starting with 'Alhamdulillahi Rabbil Alamin' in prayer.” (Nasai, Iftitah 24; Muslim, Salah 11)

In that case, it is necessary to read the chapter of al-Fatiha first in order to perform a prayer like the Prophet (pbuh).

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