Many people believe that it is necessary to complete the recitation of the Qur'an in the tarawih and night prayers; how valid is this?
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The questioner : So, many people believe that it is necessary to complete the recitation of the Qur'an in the tarawih and night prayers; how valid is this...?
The Shaykh : This is a mistaken understanding. It is not obligatory for a person to complete the entire recitation of the Qur'an in Ramadan, but it is a recommended practice so that people may hear the words of Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) from beginning to end.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : As for it being a necessary requirement, it is not necessary. Also, you mentioned tarawih and the night prayer of Ramadan.
The questioner : I mean the prayer of the last part of the night.
The Shaykh : In reality, tarawih is part of the night prayer of Ramadan.
The questioner : Yes, yes.
The Shaykh : Many people think that tarawih is one thing and the night prayer of Ramadan is another.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : The reality is that tarawih is part of the night prayer of Ramadan. One of the major mistaken concepts I referred to is the idea that tarawih is separate from the night prayer. Consequently, many imams, unfortunately, do not pay attention to the tarawih prayer in terms of composure. You find them rushing with extreme haste that disrupts the composure of the followers.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : They also make it difficult for them. This is forbidden for them, because if a person is praying for himself, he is free in the sense that there is no harm in rushing, provided it does not disrupt composure. However, if there are people behind him, it is not permissible for him to rush them in that manner, because he is now a trustee over them. It is obligatory for him to be deliberate so that the followers perform the prayer with the utmost perfection. There is a difference between one who prays for himself
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : and one who prays for others. The scholars have mentioned that it is disliked for the imam to rush to the extent that it prevents the followers from doing what is recommended. I believe it is forbidden for him to rush to the extent that it prevents the followers from doing what is recommended. Why? Because he is a trustee acting for himself and for others. It is obligatory for one who acts for others to follow what is best, as Allah the Exalted said:Sunan an-Nasa'i 3669Da'if (Darussalam) Therefore, this imam must at least be deliberate so that the followers perform at least the minimum of what is recommended.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : As for rushing at that speed, it is forbidden for him. Someone I trust told me that one day, or rather one night,
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : he entered a mosque and found them praying the tarawih prayer in the manner known among people, which is with speed.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : He said, "When it was night, I saw in a dream that I entered upon the people of this mosque, and there they were dancing, dancing.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Dancing in a way that, may Allah know best, indicated that their prayer was more like play than seriousness.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : So I warn my brother imams against this speed that many people have become accustomed to. I tell them to maintain the prescribed number of rak'ahs in tarawih, which is eleven or thirteen rak'ahs, with composure and deliberation, so that they perform the prayer as it should be. If they increase to twenty-three, there is no blame; we do not say it is prohibited. But the blame lies in the speed that prevents the followers from doing what is recommended.
The questioner : Yes, you have done well. May Allah reward you.
The Shaykh : This is a mistaken understanding. It is not obligatory for a person to complete the entire recitation of the Qur'an in Ramadan, but it is a recommended practice so that people may hear the words of Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) from beginning to end.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : As for it being a necessary requirement, it is not necessary. Also, you mentioned tarawih and the night prayer of Ramadan.
The questioner : I mean the prayer of the last part of the night.
The Shaykh : In reality, tarawih is part of the night prayer of Ramadan.
The questioner : Yes, yes.
The Shaykh : Many people think that tarawih is one thing and the night prayer of Ramadan is another.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : The reality is that tarawih is part of the night prayer of Ramadan. One of the major mistaken concepts I referred to is the idea that tarawih is separate from the night prayer. Consequently, many imams, unfortunately, do not pay attention to the tarawih prayer in terms of composure. You find them rushing with extreme haste that disrupts the composure of the followers.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : They also make it difficult for them. This is forbidden for them, because if a person is praying for himself, he is free in the sense that there is no harm in rushing, provided it does not disrupt composure. However, if there are people behind him, it is not permissible for him to rush them in that manner, because he is now a trustee over them. It is obligatory for him to be deliberate so that the followers perform the prayer with the utmost perfection. There is a difference between one who prays for himself
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : and one who prays for others. The scholars have mentioned that it is disliked for the imam to rush to the extent that it prevents the followers from doing what is recommended. I believe it is forbidden for him to rush to the extent that it prevents the followers from doing what is recommended. Why? Because he is a trustee acting for himself and for others. It is obligatory for one who acts for others to follow what is best, as Allah the Exalted said:
And come not near to the orphan's property, except to improve it
ولا تقربوا مال اليتيم إلا بالتي هي أحسنThe questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : As for rushing at that speed, it is forbidden for him. Someone I trust told me that one day, or rather one night,
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : he entered a mosque and found them praying the tarawih prayer in the manner known among people, which is with speed.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : He said, "When it was night, I saw in a dream that I entered upon the people of this mosque, and there they were dancing, dancing.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Dancing in a way that, may Allah know best, indicated that their prayer was more like play than seriousness.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : So I warn my brother imams against this speed that many people have become accustomed to. I tell them to maintain the prescribed number of rak'ahs in tarawih, which is eleven or thirteen rak'ahs, with composure and deliberation, so that they perform the prayer as it should be. If they increase to twenty-three, there is no blame; we do not say it is prohibited. But the blame lies in the speed that prevents the followers from doing what is recommended.
The questioner : Yes, you have done well. May Allah reward you.