Fath al-Rabbani

Benefits: … It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abdullah ibn Umar radi Allahu anhu that the Noble Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam led a prayer, and in it he sallallahu alayhi wa sallam recited (Qur’an), but the recitation became mixed up for him sallallahu alayhi wa sallam. When he sallallahu alayhi wa sallam finished the prayer, he sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said to Sayyiduna Ubayy: “Did you pray with us?” He said: “Yes.” He sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said: “Then what prevented you (from prompting me)?” … “Did you pray with us?” He replied: “Yes.” He sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said: “Then what prevented you from it (i.e., from prompting me)?” (Abu Dawud: 908) The wording in Sahih Ibn Hibban is: “Then what prevented you from opening (the recitation) for me?” The Hanafi school’s position: Giving a prompt (luqmah) invalidates the prayer, unless the one giving the prompt intends to recite (the Qur’an) himself. This distinction is an unnecessary affectation; the same Prophet who forbade deliberate speech with others during prayer also legislated prompting the imam. Imam Shawkani said: The evidences indicate that in the case of the imam making a mistake in audible recitation, it is legislated to prompt him, so that he may recall the verse, and when he errs in the pillars (arkan) or other matters, men should say “Subhan Allah” and women should clap to alert him. And Allah knows best. (Nayl al-Awtar: 2/373) According to the Shafi’is and Hanbalis, it is permissible to prompt the imam.