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﴿ فَاسْأَلُوا أَهْلَ الذِّكْرِ إِن كُنتُمْ لَا تَعْلَمُونَ ﴾

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The ruling on a non-best reader leading prayer when a better reader is present

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His third question is from the brother who identified himself only with the letter (M). He says: Sometimes the imam is absent, and men who do not know how to recite properly step forward to lead us; they only memorize some surahs. I am certain that I am a better reader than them, as I have memorized a number of parts of the Qur'an, approximately six. However, I am shy to step forward and I tremble. So, is there a sin on the part of the praying people or on me if a man leads us while there is among the followers someone who is a better reader than he is?
Answer: There is no harm, if Allah wills; there is nothing wrong with it. However, the followers should look and consider; if they know that one of them is the best reader, they should appoint him. As for if one steps forward and prays with them, and his recitation is correct in al-Fatihah, that does not cause harm. But in terms of the Sunnah, they should look and consider, and if they know that one of those present is the best reader, they should appoint him, provided he is upright, good, and of sound character. As for if one who does not know how to recite al-Fatihah well, or who does not master its recitation, steps forward, and he makes errors in it that change the meaning, then he is known; if he is upright, well and good, otherwise he is removed from leading the prayer, and one who is skilled in recitation steps forward to pray with the people. As for you feeling shy, there is no sin on you if you do not step forward, especially if you are afflicted with trembling and agitation; then you should not step forward. Someone else from among those who have steadiness, balance, and soundness should step forward. Yes.
Source binbaz.org.sa

The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.

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