Explaining the Surahs Recited After al-Fatihah in All Prayers
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The Shaykh : And what do we recite after al-Fatihah? Whatever is easy for you, but it is better that the surah be from the long ones of the final section in Fajr, from the short ones in Maghrib, and from the medium ones in the rest.
The final section: It begins from Surat Qaf to the end of the Qur'an, and it is called the final section because of the abundance of its endings, as its surahs are short. The long ones of the final section are from Qaf to 'Amma, the medium ones are from 'Amma to al-Duha, and the short ones are from al-Duha to the end of the Qur'an. However, the imam should occasionally recite from the long ones of the final section in Maghrib, because it is established that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) recited Surat al-Tur and Surat al-Mursalat in Maghrib. It is also reported from him that he recited Surat al-A'raf in the Maghrib prayer. Therefore, the imam should not always stick to the short ones of the final section in Maghrib; rather, he should occasionally recite from the long ones.
Someone might say: If the imam recites from the long ones of the final section in the Maghrib prayer, will it not be burdensome for the people? What is the answer?
The answer: It is burdensome for some and not for others. It is burdensome for the old man, the sick person, and the one who is unable, and the like of that. But this hardship does not matter, because the One who said to Mu'adh ibn Jabal, "Do not lengthen the prayer for the people," is the same One who used to recite Surat al-Tur and Surat al-Mursalat. This indicates that the length which the imam is forbidden from, may Allah pray upon him and grant him peace, is the length that exceeds the Sunnah. As for the length that conforms to the Sunnah, it is a Sunnah, and the ma'mum should not complain about it if the imam recites it. Rather, he should thank the imam for that and pray for him for continued success.
The final section: It begins from Surat Qaf to the end of the Qur'an, and it is called the final section because of the abundance of its endings, as its surahs are short. The long ones of the final section are from Qaf to 'Amma, the medium ones are from 'Amma to al-Duha, and the short ones are from al-Duha to the end of the Qur'an. However, the imam should occasionally recite from the long ones of the final section in Maghrib, because it is established that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) recited Surat al-Tur and Surat al-Mursalat in Maghrib. It is also reported from him that he recited Surat al-A'raf in the Maghrib prayer. Therefore, the imam should not always stick to the short ones of the final section in Maghrib; rather, he should occasionally recite from the long ones.
Someone might say: If the imam recites from the long ones of the final section in the Maghrib prayer, will it not be burdensome for the people? What is the answer?
The answer: It is burdensome for some and not for others. It is burdensome for the old man, the sick person, and the one who is unable, and the like of that. But this hardship does not matter, because the One who said to Mu'adh ibn Jabal, "Do not lengthen the prayer for the people," is the same One who used to recite Surat al-Tur and Surat al-Mursalat. This indicates that the length which the imam is forbidden from, may Allah pray upon him and grant him peace, is the length that exceeds the Sunnah. As for the length that conforms to the Sunnah, it is a Sunnah, and the ma'mum should not complain about it if the imam recites it. Rather, he should thank the imam for that and pray for him for continued success.