Is it permissible for one who recites the Qur'an at a very fast speed to lead people in prayer, and is it permissible to pray behind him?
Machine translationRead the Arabic original
Question:
Our brother asks: Is it permissible for one who recites the Qur'an at a very fast speed, such that at times the listener does not know which surah he is reciting, or which verse he is reciting, and does not understand a single word from it, to lead people in prayer? Is it permissible for him to lead people in prayer? May Allah be pleased with him.
Answer:
Good. As for Surat al-Fatihah, it is obligatory to recite it clearly, without leaving out a single letter, emphasis, or elongation. One must recite it clearly because it is a pillar, as its recitation is a pillar of the prayer. As for reciting other parts of the Qur'an, it is also recommended for the one reciting the Qur'an in prayer and elsewhere to recite in an orderly manner. This order is indicated by the saying of Allah the Exalted, "And recite the Qur'an with measured recitation," and by the saying of Allah the Exalted, "And recite the Qur'an with measured recitation." The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used to recite in a measured, explanatory manner, pausing at the beginnings of verses. He would elongate the recitation, peace and blessings be upon him. However, this does not invalidate the prayer. If it is other than Surat al-Fatihah, it does not invalidate the prayer. Excessive speed and the failure to clarify some letters, or the inability of the listener to understand the recitation, is certainly a deficiency in the recitation, and it is not permissible to do this with the Qur'an. But his prayer is not invalidated unless this occurs in Surat al-Fatihah, because reciting Surat al-Fatihah in the prayer is a pillar of the prayer. It must be recited completely with its letters, elongations, and nuances, and not a single letter should be left out. As for reciting what comes after al-Fatihah, it is a recommended practice (sunnah). If he does not recite anything after al-Fatihah, his prayer is valid, and he has only left off a recommended practice.
But his action is a disrespect to the Qur'an, and perhaps he has not recited the Qur'an after al-Fatihah, in which case he would be sinful for that, and his recitation would be incomplete, but his prayer is not invalidated. May Allah reward you with good, and may He do you well.
Our brother asks: Is it permissible for one who recites the Qur'an at a very fast speed, such that at times the listener does not know which surah he is reciting, or which verse he is reciting, and does not understand a single word from it, to lead people in prayer? Is it permissible for him to lead people in prayer? May Allah be pleased with him.
Answer:
Good. As for Surat al-Fatihah, it is obligatory to recite it clearly, without leaving out a single letter, emphasis, or elongation. One must recite it clearly because it is a pillar, as its recitation is a pillar of the prayer. As for reciting other parts of the Qur'an, it is also recommended for the one reciting the Qur'an in prayer and elsewhere to recite in an orderly manner. This order is indicated by the saying of Allah the Exalted, "And recite the Qur'an with measured recitation," and by the saying of Allah the Exalted, "And recite the Qur'an with measured recitation." The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used to recite in a measured, explanatory manner, pausing at the beginnings of verses. He would elongate the recitation, peace and blessings be upon him. However, this does not invalidate the prayer. If it is other than Surat al-Fatihah, it does not invalidate the prayer. Excessive speed and the failure to clarify some letters, or the inability of the listener to understand the recitation, is certainly a deficiency in the recitation, and it is not permissible to do this with the Qur'an. But his prayer is not invalidated unless this occurs in Surat al-Fatihah, because reciting Surat al-Fatihah in the prayer is a pillar of the prayer. It must be recited completely with its letters, elongations, and nuances, and not a single letter should be left out. As for reciting what comes after al-Fatihah, it is a recommended practice (sunnah). If he does not recite anything after al-Fatihah, his prayer is valid, and he has only left off a recommended practice.
But his action is a disrespect to the Qur'an, and perhaps he has not recited the Qur'an after al-Fatihah, in which case he would be sinful for that, and his recitation would be incomplete, but his prayer is not invalidated. May Allah reward you with good, and may He do you well.
Source
قناة «العلامة الدكتور صالح الفوزان»، هل يجوز لمن يقرأ القرآن بسرعة شديدة أن يصلي بالناس وهل تجوز الصلاة خلفه؟ الشيخ صالح بن فوزان الفوزان — youtube.com
The Arabic text is a machine transcription of the audio recording.