Reciting Other Surahs After Al-Fatihah in the 3rd and 4th Rakahs
Question:
What is the ruling of reciting other Surahs or verses from the Quran after Surat Al-Fatihah in the third & fourth rakah during an obligatory Prayer?
Answer:
Abu Qatadah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated on the authority of his father that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) would recite in the first two rak`ahs of the Zuhr (noon Prayer) and `Asr (Afternoon prayer) the opening chapter of the Book (Al-Fatihah) and another surah. He would sometimes recite loud enough to make it audible to us and would recite in the last two rak`ahs Surat Al-Faitihah (only).” (Muslim)
It was also narrated that Jabir ibn `Abdullah said: “We used to recite the Opening of the Book (Surah Al-Fatihah) and a Surah behind the Imam in the first two rak`ahs of the Zhuhr and the `Asr prayers, and in the last two rak`ah (we would recite) the Opening of the Book (Surah Al-Fatiha).” (Ibn Majah)
There is a consensus among the jurists that it is not recommendable to recite a Surah or short verses from the Quran after the third and fourth raka`ahs during the obligatory prayer.
Watch this short talk to know more about this ruling with Dr. Muhammad Salah.