The Sunnah of Reciting the Qur'an with Measured Recitation and Reflection in the Prayer of the Individual
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If a person is praying alone, whether the prayer is voluntary or obligatory, is it obligatory for him to recite Surat al-Fatihah and whatever is easy of the Qur'an with measured recitation, reflection, and humility? What is the Sunnah in this matter?
The Sunnah for the one praying to recite the Qur'an is to pause at every verse and to elongate what should be elongated. The recitation of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was characterized by elongation; he would say: [Surat al-Fatihah: 1-3] He would elongate and pause at every verse. This is the most preferred and well-known practice; however, it is not obligatory. If a person does not pause at every verse and does not elongate, there is no harm.
But the most preferred is this. And if a person is alone, let him recite as he wishes, with lengthening, measured recitation, or speed, provided it does not disrupt the letters and vowel movements.By the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): (If one of you prays for himself, let him lengthen as he wishes) But if he is an imam, it is not permissible for him to lengthen the prayer for them in a way that contradicts the Sunnah.
The questioner: And what if the recitation is ordinary?The Shaykh: There is no harm; there is absolutely no obstacle. The important thing is not to drop any of the letters and not to change any of the vowel movements.
The questioner: May Allah reward you with good.
The Sunnah for the one praying to recite the Qur'an is to pause at every verse and to elongate what should be elongated. The recitation of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was characterized by elongation; he would say:
(2) [All] praise is [due] to Allah, Lord of the worlds - (3) The Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful, (4) Sovereign of the Day of Recompense.
الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ * الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ * مَالِكِ يَوْمِ الدِّينِBut the most preferred is this. And if a person is alone, let him recite as he wishes, with lengthening, measured recitation, or speed, provided it does not disrupt the letters and vowel movements.By the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): (If one of you prays for himself, let him lengthen as he wishes) But if he is an imam, it is not permissible for him to lengthen the prayer for them in a way that contradicts the Sunnah.
The questioner: And what if the recitation is ordinary?The Shaykh: There is no harm; there is absolutely no obstacle. The important thing is not to drop any of the letters and not to change any of the vowel movements.
The questioner: May Allah reward you with good.