Children often ask, “Do I say Bismillah every time?” Here is a clear guide.
1. A‘udhu billah: before you start reading
أَعُوذُ بِاللّٰهِ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيمِ
Allah says: “When you recite the Quran, seek refuge in Allah from Shaytan, the rejected” (Quran 16:98). Say it once at the start of a reading session.
2. Bismillah: at the start of a surah
بِسْمِ اللّٰهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ
| Situation | Say Bismillah? |
|---|---|
| Starting any surah from its beginning | Yes |
| Starting Surah At-Tawbah (9) | No; it has no Bismillah |
| Starting from the middle of a surah | Optional |
| Moving from one surah straight into the next | Yes, at the start of the new surah (except At-Tawbah) |
In salah
In prayer, your child says Bismillah before Al-Fatihah, and before the second surah too. Schools of thought differ on whether it is said aloud, so follow what your family and local masjid do.
A simple routine for practice time
- Sit in the Quran corner.
- Say A‘udhu billah.
- Say Bismillah.
- Begin.
Teacher’s tip: teach At-Tawbah as the “one surah without Bismillah” fact. Children love unusual facts and remember them for life.
Related: Which surahs to recite in salah.
