Ruling on loud recitation of Basmalah in Salah 
Q: What is the ruling on reciting Basmalah (saying, "Bismillah Al-Rahman, Al-Rahim [In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful]") audibly before reciting Surah Al-Fatihah or any other Surah (Chapter from the Qur'an)? A: Scholars differed concerning this issue. Some were of the view that it is recommended to recite it audibly |
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while others disapproved that and regarded reciting it inaudibly as preferable. However, the later is the preponderant and correct opinion as authentically stated in the authentic Hadith on the authority of Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) who said: 
"I offered Salah behind Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him), Abu Bakr and `Umar. They did not recite "Bismillah Al-Rahman Al-Rahim" audibly.
There are other Hadiths that center on the same meaning. However, there are some Hadiths which imply the recommendation of reciting it aloud but all of them are weak. We do not know any authentic Hadith regarding reciting Basmalah audibly that supports the recommendation for reciting it aloud. We should take into consideration that the matter of Basmalah and reciting it aloud is flexible and easy. Therefore, there should be no dispute over it. If an Imam (the one who leads congregational Prayer) recites it aloud in order to inform those who offer Salah (Prayer) behind him that he recites it, there is no wrong, but it is better for him to utter it inaudibly in general in accordance with the authentic Hadiths in the issue. President of the Islamic University
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Q: One of the Imams (those who lead congregational Prayer) used to recite the Qur'an during Tarawih (special supererogatory night Prayer in Ramadan) as usual and did not recite the Basmalah loudly in Al-Fatihah or other Surahs (Qur'anic chapters); However, when he reached Surat-ul-Falaq, he recited it aloud. Likewise, he did the same in Surat-ul-Nas. Is there evidence from Shari`ah (Islamic law) on his act? A: It is an act of Sunnah (whatever is reported from the Prophet) to avoid reciting the Basmalah audibly in the Jahri Salah (Prayer recited out loud). If an Imam sometimes recites it aloud so that those who offer Salah behind him know that he says it, that is acceptable, there is no wrong; for it is authentically reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) and the Rightly-Guided Caliphs did not recite the Basmalah aloud.