Written by: Shaykh Mubashir Ahmad Rabbani (May Allah preserve him)
Question:
Is it permissible to recite from the Qur'an during non-obligatory prayers (like Taraweeh)? The Hanafi scholars do not permit this. Could you clarify this issue based on Qur'an and Sunnah?
Answer:
It is permissible to recite from the Qur'an during prayer, but it should not be a regular practice. The evidence for this is found in Sahih al-Bukhari, where it is narrated:
"Aisha (رضي الله عنها) had her servant, Dhakwan, lead her in prayer, and he would recite from the Qur'an while looking at the Mushaf."
[Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Adhan, Hadith 692]
"Since the time of Islam, the best of our scholars have been reciting from the Mushaf during their prayers."
[Qiyam al-Layl, Page 168]
This historical practice among the early scholars of Islam further affirms that reciting from the Mushaf during prayer is not prohibited.
"When the Imam recites from the Mushaf, the prayer becomes invalid according to Abu Hanifa, but according to his students, the prayer is valid."
[al-Hidayah, Volume 1, Page 137]
Imam Abu Hanifa’s view is surprising because, according to his logic, if a person recites from the Qur'an, the prayer is invalid, but if the person gazes at a woman with lust, the prayer does not become invalid. Imam Ibn Nujaym (رحمه الله) commented:
"If a person looks at the Mushaf and recites from it, the prayer becomes invalid. However, if a person looks at a woman with desire, the prayer is not invalid."
[al-Ashbah wa al-Nazair, Page 418]
"Abu Qatada (رضي الله عنہ) reported that the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) used to pray while carrying Umama, the daughter of Zaynab bint Muhammad. When he went into prostration, he would place her down, and when he stood, he would pick her up."
[Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Prayer, Hadith 516]
This action was not considered excessive or invalidating the prayer. Similarly, Sahih al-Bukhari narrates:
"Ibn Abbas (رضي الله عنه) reported that one night he was with Maimuna (رضي الله عنها), and the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) stood up to pray. Ibn Abbas stood on the left, and the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) moved him to his right."
[Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Adhan, Hadith 698]
These actions, like moving someone’s position or carrying a child during prayer, are not considered excessive and do not invalidate the prayer.
Question:
Is it permissible to recite from the Qur'an during non-obligatory prayers (like Taraweeh)? The Hanafi scholars do not permit this. Could you clarify this issue based on Qur'an and Sunnah?
Answer:
It is permissible to recite from the Qur'an during prayer, but it should not be a regular practice. The evidence for this is found in Sahih al-Bukhari, where it is narrated:
"Aisha (رضي الله عنها) had her servant, Dhakwan, lead her in prayer, and he would recite from the Qur'an while looking at the Mushaf."
[Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Adhan, Hadith 692]
Commentary by Hafiz Ibn Hajar:
Hafiz Ibn Hajar (رحمه الله) explains this in his book Fath al-Bari, stating that Imam Abu Dawood narrated this from Ibn Abi Mulaykah and also from other scholars like Imam Shafi'i and Imam Abd al-Razzaq. This narration demonstrates that reciting from the Qur'an during prayer is permissible, though it is not recommended to make it a common practice.Imam Marwazi’s Explanation:
Imam Marwazi (رحمه الله) also shares a similar stance. When asked about a person leading prayer in Ramadan while reciting from the Qur'an, he replied:"Since the time of Islam, the best of our scholars have been reciting from the Mushaf during their prayers."
[Qiyam al-Layl, Page 168]
This historical practice among the early scholars of Islam further affirms that reciting from the Mushaf during prayer is not prohibited.
Disagreement Among Hanafi Scholars:
According to Imam Abu Hanifa (رحمه الله), the prayer becomes invalid if the Imam recites from the Qur'an while looking at the Mushaf. However, his students, such as Qadi Abu Yusuf and Imam Muhammad (رحمه الله), disagreed with this view, as mentioned in al-Hidayah:"When the Imam recites from the Mushaf, the prayer becomes invalid according to Abu Hanifa, but according to his students, the prayer is valid."
[al-Hidayah, Volume 1, Page 137]
Imam Abu Hanifa’s view is surprising because, according to his logic, if a person recites from the Qur'an, the prayer is invalid, but if the person gazes at a woman with lust, the prayer does not become invalid. Imam Ibn Nujaym (رحمه الله) commented:
"If a person looks at the Mushaf and recites from it, the prayer becomes invalid. However, if a person looks at a woman with desire, the prayer is not invalid."
[al-Ashbah wa al-Nazair, Page 418]
Refuting the "Excessive Action" Argument:
The argument by the Hanafi scholars that reciting from the Mushaf invalidates the prayer due to "excessive action" is baseless. If such minor actions invalidate prayer, then many actions considered part of the prayer by the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) would also invalidate it. For instance, in Sahih al-Bukhari, it is narrated:"Abu Qatada (رضي الله عنہ) reported that the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) used to pray while carrying Umama, the daughter of Zaynab bint Muhammad. When he went into prostration, he would place her down, and when he stood, he would pick her up."
[Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Prayer, Hadith 516]
This action was not considered excessive or invalidating the prayer. Similarly, Sahih al-Bukhari narrates:
"Ibn Abbas (رضي الله عنه) reported that one night he was with Maimuna (رضي الله عنها), and the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) stood up to pray. Ibn Abbas stood on the left, and the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) moved him to his right."
[Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Adhan, Hadith 698]
These actions, like moving someone’s position or carrying a child during prayer, are not considered excessive and do not invalidate the prayer.