SAEDNEWS: Since we are guided by reason, we begin the prayer with Surah Al-Fatiha, based on the narrations. This surah is incomparable and cannot be equated with anything else. It is precisely because of this unique quality that the prayer must begin with Surah Al-Fatiha.
According to Saednews, The ruling depends on the fatwa of the marjaʿ (religious authority) one follows. In general, according to Shi'a jurisprudence:
If a person recites the surah before Al-Fatiha in the first or second rakʿah and realizes the mistake, they should recite Al-Fatiha first and then repeat the surah after it.
If the person reverses Al-Fatiha and the surah by mistake or forgetfulness and only realizes it after reaching the bowing (rukūʿ), the prayer is generally considered valid and does not need to be repeated.
If the person intentionally recites the surah before Al-Fatiha and does not observe the required order of recitation, according to many fatwas the prayer becomes problematic and may be invalid.
If a person intentionally recites the surah before Al-Fatiha, the prayer is invalid. If they mistakenly recite the surah before Al-Fatiha and realize the mistake while still reciting it, they should stop the surah, recite Al-Fatiha, and then recite the surah again from the beginning.
Ayatollah Golpaygani: They should then recite Al-Fatiha and proceed to rukūʿ. However, if they repeat the surah after Al-Fatiha, the recommended precaution is to complete the prayer and then repeat the prayer.
Ayatollah Bahjat: This applies when the intention was for the surah to be part of the prayer. If the intention was simply to recite Qur'an, there is no problem; after Al-Fatiha, they should recite a surah as a precaution.
Ayatollah Makarem Shirazi: It is obligatory to recite Al-Fatiha before the surah. If someone intentionally does the opposite, the prayer is invalid. If it happens by mistake, they should correct the order if they remember before reaching the level of rukūʿ. If they remember after reaching the level of rukūʿ, the prayer is valid.
Ayatollah Zanjani: If someone knowingly and intentionally recites the surah before Al-Fatiha, the prayer is invalid. If they do so mistakenly and realize it while reciting the surah, they should stop, recite Al-Fatiha, and then, after Al-Fatiha, it is recommended to recite the surah again.
In short: The specific ruling can vary according to the marjaʿ being followed, especially regarding whether the mistake is noticed before or after rukūʿ.
