Fatwa by: Former Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia, Shaykh Ibn Bāz (رحمه الله)
Question:
Is it permissible to read from the Qur'an while offering Tahajjud prayer? I have memorized very little of the Qur'an, but I want to complete it during Tahajjud.
Answer:
There is no harm in this. Dhakwān, the freed slave of Sayyidah ʿĀʾishah (رضي الله عنها), used to lead her in prayer in Ramaḍān by reciting from the Qur'an while looking at it, as narrated with certainty by Imām al-Bukhārī (رحمه الله). Most scholars hold this view, while those who prohibit it do not have any reliable proof.
This is also permissible because not everyone has memorized the Qur'an, yet there is a need to recite it during prayer, especially in Ramaḍān and for Tahajjud. Those who have not memorized much of the Qur'an particularly need this allowance.
And Allah grants success.
Question:
Is it permissible to read from the Qur'an while offering Tahajjud prayer? I have memorized very little of the Qur'an, but I want to complete it during Tahajjud.
Answer:
There is no harm in this. Dhakwān, the freed slave of Sayyidah ʿĀʾishah (رضي الله عنها), used to lead her in prayer in Ramaḍān by reciting from the Qur'an while looking at it, as narrated with certainty by Imām al-Bukhārī (رحمه الله). Most scholars hold this view, while those who prohibit it do not have any reliable proof.
This is also permissible because not everyone has memorized the Qur'an, yet there is a need to recite it during prayer, especially in Ramaḍān and for Tahajjud. Those who have not memorized much of the Qur'an particularly need this allowance.
And Allah grants success.
