Question:
Guidance is sought regarding certain practices observed during Mahfil-e-Husn-e-Qira'at (ceremonies of beautiful Qur'an recitation). Specifically, during such events, some reciters gesture to the audience for applause. In response, attendees stand and wave their hands. Meanwhile, a person continues saying "Allāh Allāh" and "Subḥān Allāh" into the microphone. Some individuals kiss the reciter, massage his shoulders, and the reciter—while taking deep breaths—takes on a dramatic posture causing his face to redden and the veins in his shoulders to swell. Are such practices permissible?
Answer by:
Shaykh Saeed Mujtaba Saeedi ḥafiẓahullāh
Research Scholar: Dawood Ismail ḥafiẓahullāh
All the actions and styles described above fall more under the category of artistic performance than actual Qur’anic recitation. They are objectionable from the perspective of Islamic teachings.
✔ Performing actions to seek praise and applause during Qur’an recitation is reprehensible.
✔ Inducing people to say "Subḥān Allāh" or similar expressions as part of a coordinated or encouraged response turns into a form of collective dhikr, which is problematic in this context.
✔ Such conduct detracts from the true purpose of Qur’anic recitation, which is reflection, humility, and obedience to Allah, not entertainment or showmanship.
✔ This manner of recitation and accompanying behavior cannot be validated from a Shar‘i (Islamic legal) standpoint.
For a deeper understanding, consult the book
“بدع القرّاء” (Bid‘a al-Qurrā’) by Shaykh Bakr Abu Zayd رحمه الله,
which provides extensive detail on this subject.
Guidance is sought regarding certain practices observed during Mahfil-e-Husn-e-Qira'at (ceremonies of beautiful Qur'an recitation). Specifically, during such events, some reciters gesture to the audience for applause. In response, attendees stand and wave their hands. Meanwhile, a person continues saying "Allāh Allāh" and "Subḥān Allāh" into the microphone. Some individuals kiss the reciter, massage his shoulders, and the reciter—while taking deep breaths—takes on a dramatic posture causing his face to redden and the veins in his shoulders to swell. Are such practices permissible?
Answer by:
Shaykh Saeed Mujtaba Saeedi ḥafiẓahullāh
Research Scholar: Dawood Ismail ḥafiẓahullāh
✿ Summary of the Ruling
All the actions and styles described above fall more under the category of artistic performance than actual Qur’anic recitation. They are objectionable from the perspective of Islamic teachings.
✿ Detailed Explanation
✔ Performing actions to seek praise and applause during Qur’an recitation is reprehensible.
✔ Inducing people to say "Subḥān Allāh" or similar expressions as part of a coordinated or encouraged response turns into a form of collective dhikr, which is problematic in this context.
✔ Such conduct detracts from the true purpose of Qur’anic recitation, which is reflection, humility, and obedience to Allah, not entertainment or showmanship.
✔ This manner of recitation and accompanying behavior cannot be validated from a Shar‘i (Islamic legal) standpoint.
✿ Recommended Reading
For a deeper understanding, consult the book
“بدع القرّاء” (Bid‘a al-Qurrā’) by Shaykh Bakr Abu Zayd رحمه الله,
which provides extensive detail on this subject.
