Saying Basmalah before each Surah or after Takbirat-ul-Ihram

Q 4: We notice that every Surah of the Holy Qur'an starts with Basmalah (saying, "Bismillah Al-Rahman, Al-Rahim [In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful]"). Basmalah has also been mentioned in the Qur'anic Ayah (verse) which reads: Verily, here is delivered to me a noble letter "Verily it is from Sulaimân (Solomon), and verily, it (reads): In the Name of Allâh, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful: "Be you not exalted against me, but come to me as Muslims (true believers who submit to Allâh with full submission).’ " Does one have to recite Basmalah before every Surah of the Holy Qur'an or is it enough to recite it after Takbirat-ul-Ihram (saying: "Allahu Akbar [Allah is the Greatest]" upon starting Prayer)? (Part No. 6; Page No. 381) Most people do not recite it at the beginning of recitation. They just start reciting from any part of the Qur'an. Is Basmalah one of the revealed Ayahs (verses) of the Holy Qur'an or an act of Sunnah? Hopefully you may illustrate this issue for us.

A: Basmalah has to be recited at the beginning of every Surah. It is not enough to recite it in the first Rak`ah (unit of Prayer) of Salah (Prayer). It is unanimously agreed upon that Basmalah is a verse of the Holy Qur'an.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.