Is recitation of verses other than Al-Fatiha required in the first two rak'ahs of prayer?
Chapter on the Description of Prayer
Al-Mughni
Book of Prayer
Primary text
It is established that reciting an additional Surah following Al-Fatiha in the first two rak'ahs of every prayer is recommended (Sunnah), and the recitation should be audible in prayers where Al-Fatiha is recited audibly, and silent in silent prayers. The foundation for this is the practice of the Prophet, who recited an additional Surah in the first two rak'ahs of Dhuhr and Asr, sometimes making the first longer than the second, and also in the first rak'ah of Fajr. In one narration, it is mentioned that in the later rak'ahs of Dhuhr, he recited only Umm Al-Kitab (Al-Fatiha). The Prophet was also reported to recite between sixty and one hundred verses in Fajr, and he commanded Mu'adh to recite specific Surahs.
Supporting text
It is recommended to begin the additional Surah with {In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful}, a practice Malik agreed upon for prayers other than the opening of Al-Fatiha. The ruling regarding reciting the Basmalah silently or audibly follows the ruling for the Basmalah in Al-Fatiha.