The Imams’ Application of the Sunnah in Recitation and Their Difficulties with the Congregation
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Question:
Honorable Shaykh, may Allah grant you success. He says: In our current time, those who want to apply the Sunnah in recitation among the imams—some imams find difficulty with the congregation, and the worshippers may complain about their application of this Sunnah. So what is your guidance, may Allah grant you success?
Answer:
It is always the application of the people of the Sunnah that causes them difficulty. It is difficult for them when some imams strain themselves with measured recitation, dragging out the words, repeating, and breaking up the phrases. This is what makes it hard for the ma'mum (one praying behind the imam). If he were to recite in a flowing, moderate manner, the ma'mum would take pleasure in it. But they make the recitation difficult for the ma'mum with their method, which is hard for them and for the ma'mum. Yes. We have known imams who recite at length, and one does not get bored of it. One wishes they would not bow, that they would lengthen the recitation. One takes pleasure in it because it is a good, precise, flowing, and pleasant recitation. As for this strained recitation, it is hard for the ma'mum and for the imam. Yes.
Honorable Shaykh, may Allah grant you success. He says: In our current time, those who want to apply the Sunnah in recitation among the imams—some imams find difficulty with the congregation, and the worshippers may complain about their application of this Sunnah. So what is your guidance, may Allah grant you success?
Answer:
It is always the application of the people of the Sunnah that causes them difficulty. It is difficult for them when some imams strain themselves with measured recitation, dragging out the words, repeating, and breaking up the phrases. This is what makes it hard for the ma'mum (one praying behind the imam). If he were to recite in a flowing, moderate manner, the ma'mum would take pleasure in it. But they make the recitation difficult for the ma'mum with their method, which is hard for them and for the ma'mum. Yes. We have known imams who recite at length, and one does not get bored of it. One wishes they would not bow, that they would lengthen the recitation. One takes pleasure in it because it is a good, precise, flowing, and pleasant recitation. As for this strained recitation, it is hard for the ma'mum and for the imam. Yes.
Source
شرح كتاب المنتقى من أخبار المصطفى صلى الله عليه وسلم، بداية من باب حكم من لم يحسن فرض القراءة — islamhouse.com (58:16)
The Arabic text is a machine transcription of the audio recording.