It is narrated from Sayyiduna Anas (may Allah be pleased with him), he says: I 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 they would not begin with {بِسْمِ اللّٰہِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِیْمِ}. Shu’bah says: I asked Qatadah,“Did you hear this hadith from Sayyiduna Anas (may Allah be pleased with him)?”He replied,“Yes! We had asked him about this.”