Continuation of the discussion on the ruling of leading people in prayer from the mushaf in the tarawih prayer.

The Shaykh : The obligation of the listeners is to pay attention to what is recited to them from the Book of Allah and to reflect upon it. As for this shouting and this clamor, it distracts them from listening to the words of Allah (Blessed and Exalted is He). The point is that his statement (peace and blessings be upon him): , is interpreted in two meanings: . For these reasons, we do not see the legitimacy of reciting from the mushaf in the tarawih prayer specifically. In addition to this, there is something we have observed in Saudi Arabia: the one who recites the Qur'an is forced to make movements. The one who reads from the mushaf is forced to make movements that are not compatible with the tranquility and humility in prayer. It was reported in the authentic hadith, his statement (peace and blessings be upon him): "Be still in prayer," meaning that when the one who prays stands in prayer, he should be like a rigid plank, humble before Allah, even if he prays in the wilderness, such that birds would think he is a plank and land on him. As for these movements that are contrary to prayer, that is contrary to this noble Prophetic command: "Be still in prayer." We have seen some of those who read from the mushaf; some of them place the mushaf under their armpit, and then you see him as if it is bound in his hand. He is unable to raise his hands as Allah has prescribed through the tongue and action of His Prophet. He does it like this, and then he is unable to prostrate in the prostration of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him), where when he prostrated, he would separate his armpits. Perhaps you know this sunnah (recommended practice), if Allah wills, you may know it but you do not do it, or if you do it, few of you do it , ... . So, this one who throws the mushaf under his armpit, if he wanted to perform this sunnah, the mushaf would fall from his hand.

The questioner : They put it on a table, O Shaykh.

The Shaykh : My brother, I am telling you what we saw with our own eyes. Well, also, when he wants to put it on the table, he does not extend his hand. It is far from him, and all these movements... some of these people have a small-sized mushaf and do this, putting it in the pocket. Allah (Blessed and Exalted is He) has made them independent of all these movements, if it were not that they preferred reading from the mushaf and became independent of the need for the Qur'an [memorization]. And this is a great error. I think you have received the answer sufficiently, if Allah wills?