It is narrated from Sayyiduna Anas bin Malik (may Allah be pleased with him), he says: I have offered prayer behind the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), Sayyiduna Abu Bakr, Sayyiduna Umar, and Sayyiduna Uthman (may Allah be pleased with them), and I did not hear any of them reciting {بِسْمِ اللّٰہِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِیْمِ}. Qatadah says: I asked Anas bin Malik (may Allah be pleased with him), with what did the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) begin the recitation? He replied: Indeed, you have asked me about something regarding which no one has asked me before.