Is it permissible for the imam in the tarawih prayer to read from the mushaf?
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The questioner : Is it permissible for a person who leads the people in prayer to read from the mushaf in the tarawih prayer?
The Shaykh : We do not consider it prescribed, even though some scholars say it is permissible. This is because it was not a common practice among the Salaf. This is from one aspect. From another aspect, opening this door weakens the imams' resolve to focus on memorizing the Book, which is the Noble Qur'an. If they are told it is permissible, they will not review the Qur'an, and this is contrary to the command of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) when he used to say: Therefore, we say: It is not befitting for imams to read from an open mushaf in their hands during the night prayer; rather, they should recite the Qur'an from their memory.
The questioner : And what about those who do not memorize the Qur'an? And what about those who do not memorize the Book of Allah?
The Shaykh : May Allah guide you. I am speaking about those who do memorize it? May Allah guide you, may Allah guide you. I am speaking about those who do memorize it? Those who memorize it do not need the mushaf. Do you not memorize al-Fatihah? Yes, yes, yes.
The Shaykh : We do not consider it prescribed, even though some scholars say it is permissible. This is because it was not a common practice among the Salaf. This is from one aspect. From another aspect, opening this door weakens the imams' resolve to focus on memorizing the Book, which is the Noble Qur'an. If they are told it is permissible, they will not review the Qur'an, and this is contrary to the command of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) when he used to say:
Review this Qur'an and sing with it. By Him in whose hand is the soul of Muhammad, it is more likely to slip from the hearts of men than camels from their ropes.
تعاهدوا هذا القرآن وتغنَّوا به ، فوالذي نفس محمد بيده ؛ إنه أشدُّ تفلُّتًا من صدور الرجال من الإبل من عُقُلِهاThe questioner : And what about those who do not memorize the Qur'an? And what about those who do not memorize the Book of Allah?
The Shaykh : May Allah guide you. I am speaking about those who do memorize it? May Allah guide you, may Allah guide you. I am speaking about those who do memorize it? Those who memorize it do not need the mushaf. Do you not memorize al-Fatihah? Yes, yes, yes.
Source
www.al-albany.com
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.