We request guidance for the worshippers on how to prompt the imam when he makes a mistake in recitation, especially since doing so disturbs the imam?
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The questioner : We ask the honorable Shaykh Muhammad (may Allah preserve him) to guide the worshippers on how to prompt the imam when he makes a mistake in recitation, especially since doing so disturbs the imam?
The Shaykh : Prompting the imam in al-Fatihah is obligatory. That is, if the imam forgets a verse from al-Fatihah, or a word from al-Fatihah, or a letter from al-Fatihah, it is obligatory for those behind him to prompt him, because reciting al-Fatihah is a pillar of the prayer, and the prayer is not valid without it, due to the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him):Jami` at-Tirmidhi 247Sahih (Darussalam).
So they should prompt the imam and respond to him, but it should be done calmly, and the one responding should be a single person, because if multiple people respond to him, their voices will differ, and the imam will not understand what is required of him.
As for other than al-Fatihah, if the mistake changes the meaning, then responding is also obligatory. If it does not change the meaning, the matter is easy: if they respond, that is better, and if they do not respond, there is no blame on them.
It should be that only one who is qualified for the imamate steps forward to lead, such that he conveys the words of Allah (Mighty and Majestic) in the clear Arabic language, because the Qur'an was revealed in a clear Arabic language, as Allah (Mighty and Majestic) said:[Ash-Shu'ara 26:192-195].
It is not obligatory for a person to recite it with tajwid according to the known rules; rather, if he establishes the letters and words with proper grammar, that is sufficient, because tajwid is nothing but improving the recitation and is not obligatory.
The Shaykh : Prompting the imam in al-Fatihah is obligatory. That is, if the imam forgets a verse from al-Fatihah, or a word from al-Fatihah, or a letter from al-Fatihah, it is obligatory for those behind him to prompt him, because reciting al-Fatihah is a pillar of the prayer, and the prayer is not valid without it, due to the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him):
There is no Salat for the one who does not recite Fatihatil-Kitab.
لا صلاة لمن لم يقرأ بفاتحة الكتابSo they should prompt the imam and respond to him, but it should be done calmly, and the one responding should be a single person, because if multiple people respond to him, their voices will differ, and the imam will not understand what is required of him.
As for other than al-Fatihah, if the mistake changes the meaning, then responding is also obligatory. If it does not change the meaning, the matter is easy: if they respond, that is better, and if they do not respond, there is no blame on them.
It should be that only one who is qualified for the imamate steps forward to lead, such that he conveys the words of Allah (Mighty and Majestic) in the clear Arabic language, because the Qur'an was revealed in a clear Arabic language, as Allah (Mighty and Majestic) said:
(192) And indeed, the Qur'an is the revelation of the Lord of the worlds. (193) The Trustworthy Spirit has brought it down (194) Upon your heart, [O Muhammad] - that you may be of the warners - (195) In a clear Arabic language.
وإنه لتنزيل رب العالمين نزل به الروح الأمين على قلبك لتكون من المنذرين بلسان عربي مبينIt is not obligatory for a person to recite it with tajwid according to the known rules; rather, if he establishes the letters and words with proper grammar, that is sufficient, because tajwid is nothing but improving the recitation and is not obligatory.