What is the ruling on looking at the mushaf during obligatory and voluntary prayers? And what is the ruling on reciting some supplications, such as the prayer for guidance (istikharah), in voluntary prayer?
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The questioner : He says: My question, O honorableThe Shaykh : What is the ruling on looking at the mushaf during obligatory and voluntary prayers? And what is the ruling on reciting some supplications, such as the prayer for guidance (istikharah), in voluntary prayer?
The Shaykh : Yes, reciting from the mushaf in obligatory and voluntary prayer, if one is able to recite without it, is better. This is because reciting from the mushaf requires looking, carrying the mushaf, placing it, and turning the pages; all of these are movements. So if a person must read, there is no harm, whether in obligatory or voluntary prayer. And among this, meaning among reading in obligatory prayer, is that some people in the Fajr prayer on Friday do not memorize the prostration verse, nor: So some people leave off this recommended practice because they have not memorized it. We say: Praise be to Allah, the matter is broad. If you do not have it memorized by heart, read it from the mushaf, and there is no blame on you for this. And the Mother of the Believers, Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her), used to read from the mushaf in her prayer during the late-night voluntary prayer (tahajjud), so there is no blame. But if a person has no need to read from the mushaf, he should not read from the mushaf.
And on this occasion, I would like to point out something that people used to do but have since fallen short in, and praise be to Allah. It is that some of the followers in the tarawih prayers in Ramadan, or in the late-night voluntary prayer (tahajjud), take the mushaf to follow the imam. This is a mistake, because it leads to unnecessary movements and prevents the worshipper from placing his hand on his chest. And perhaps he will let his gaze wander to the verses in the mushaf instead of listening to the imam. Yes, if the imam does not have it well memorized and says to some of the followers: "O so-and-so! Stay behind me, pray behind me, and if I make a mistake, correct me," then there is no harm in this, because there is a benefit in it. But for the mere purpose of following, no.
The Shaykh : Yes, reciting from the mushaf in obligatory and voluntary prayer, if one is able to recite without it, is better. This is because reciting from the mushaf requires looking, carrying the mushaf, placing it, and turning the pages; all of these are movements. So if a person must read, there is no harm, whether in obligatory or voluntary prayer. And among this, meaning among reading in obligatory prayer, is that some people in the Fajr prayer on Friday do not memorize
Alif, Lam, Mim. The revealed [Qur'an]
الم تنزيلHas there come to man
هَلْ أَتَى عَلَى الْإِنْسَانِAnd on this occasion, I would like to point out something that people used to do but have since fallen short in, and praise be to Allah. It is that some of the followers in the tarawih prayers in Ramadan, or in the late-night voluntary prayer (tahajjud), take the mushaf to follow the imam. This is a mistake, because it leads to unnecessary movements and prevents the worshipper from placing his hand on his chest. And perhaps he will let his gaze wander to the verses in the mushaf instead of listening to the imam. Yes, if the imam does not have it well memorized and says to some of the followers: "O so-and-so! Stay behind me, pray behind me, and if I make a mistake, correct me," then there is no harm in this, because there is a benefit in it. But for the mere purpose of following, no.