Is memorizing the Noble Qur'an obligatory for the regular imam, and what is the ruling if he reads from the mushaf in the obligatory prayers?
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The questioner : Is memorizing the Noble Qur'an obligatory for the regular imam, and what is the ruling on reading from the mushaf in the obligatory prayers?
The Shaykh : It is not obligatory for the imam to memorize the Qur'an, but memorizing the Qur'an is a collective obligation (fard kifayah) by the consensus of the Muslims. This means that the Qur'an must be preserved within the Muslim community, but it is not obligatory for every specific individual. If the imam has not memorized the Qur'an, there is nothing wrong with him reading from the mushaf, whether in the obligatory prayer or in the voluntary prayer. Yes.
The questioner : May Allah reward you.
The Shaykh : It is not obligatory for the imam to memorize the Qur'an, but memorizing the Qur'an is a collective obligation (fard kifayah) by the consensus of the Muslims. This means that the Qur'an must be preserved within the Muslim community, but it is not obligatory for every specific individual. If the imam has not memorized the Qur'an, there is nothing wrong with him reading from the mushaf, whether in the obligatory prayer or in the voluntary prayer. Yes.
The questioner : May Allah reward you.