Source: Fatawa of Ahl al-Hadith Scholars, Book of Salah, Volume 1
Also, is it obligatory to make up the missed prayers of my entire past life (Qaḍā-e-‘Umrī)?
It is permissible to recite from a pocket Qur'an while performing the Tahajjud prayer, and there is no objection in this matter. The majority of scholars allow this practice.
Maulana Abdul Sattar Hammad wrote in Weekly Ahl-e-Hadith
[Vol. 39, 25 Dhul-Hijjah to 1 Muharram al-Haram 1428 AH / 5 to 11 January 2008]:
“Doing so is permissible, however, it is not preferable to make it a permanent habit.”
There is also evidence for the permissibility of this practice in the Hadith. For instance, the freed slave of the Mother of the Believers ʿĀʾishah (رضي الله عنها), Dhakwān, used to lead her in prayer by reciting from the Qur’an while looking at it.
This Hadith is mentioned in Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī (commentarily, Book of Adhān, Chapter: The Imamate of a Slave or Freedman, Ḥadīth 692), and Hāfiẓ Ibn Abī Shaybah has also narrated it with a connected chain
(Fatḥ al-Bārī, p. 692, vol. 2).
Some people prohibit this act by labeling it as ‘ʿAmal Kathīr’ (excessive action), but if done out of necessity in prayer, the scholars deem it permissible. Furthermore, if it is allowed to carry a child during prayer, then holding the Qur’an during Salah is also not objectionable. However, the preferable way remains to memorize the Qur’an and recite from memory, as this has been the consistent practice of the Ummah.
Such a person must:
① Repent to Allah with sincerity
② Express remorse over their negligence
③ Make a firm resolve to be punctual in future prayers
According to Imam Ibn Taymiyyah (رحمه الله), making up intentionally missed prayers is not legislated; rather, repentance is obligatory. Shaykh Ṣāliḥ al-ʿUthaymīn (رحمه الله) also preferred this view.
If a person repents with sincerity and begins to regularly offer prayers, it is hoped from Allah that He will forgive their past sins.
◈ ✔ There is no obligation in Shari'ah to make up a lifetime's worth of missed prayers.
◈ ✔ Sincere repentance, remorse, and commitment to future observance are required instead.
◈ ✔ Scholars like Ibn Taymiyyah and Ibn ʿUthaymīn supported the view that making up intentionally missed prayers is not legislated.
❖ Question:
I wish to recite some lengthy Surahs of the Qur'an during Tahajjud prayer. Am I allowed to read from a pocket-sized Qur'an while praying?Also, is it obligatory to make up the missed prayers of my entire past life (Qaḍā-e-‘Umrī)?
✿ Ruling on Reciting from the Qur’an during Tahajjud
It is permissible to recite from a pocket Qur'an while performing the Tahajjud prayer, and there is no objection in this matter. The majority of scholars allow this practice.
Maulana Abdul Sattar Hammad wrote in Weekly Ahl-e-Hadith
[Vol. 39, 25 Dhul-Hijjah to 1 Muharram al-Haram 1428 AH / 5 to 11 January 2008]:
“Doing so is permissible, however, it is not preferable to make it a permanent habit.”
There is also evidence for the permissibility of this practice in the Hadith. For instance, the freed slave of the Mother of the Believers ʿĀʾishah (رضي الله عنها), Dhakwān, used to lead her in prayer by reciting from the Qur’an while looking at it.
This Hadith is mentioned in Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī (commentarily, Book of Adhān, Chapter: The Imamate of a Slave or Freedman, Ḥadīth 692), and Hāfiẓ Ibn Abī Shaybah has also narrated it with a connected chain
(Fatḥ al-Bārī, p. 692, vol. 2).
Some people prohibit this act by labeling it as ‘ʿAmal Kathīr’ (excessive action), but if done out of necessity in prayer, the scholars deem it permissible. Furthermore, if it is allowed to carry a child during prayer, then holding the Qur’an during Salah is also not objectionable. However, the preferable way remains to memorize the Qur’an and recite from memory, as this has been the consistent practice of the Ummah.
✿ Ruling on Making up Missed Prayers of a Lifetime (Qaḍā-e-ʿUmrī)
There is no evidence in Shari’ah that obligates making up all the missed prayers of one’s lifetime. Instead, it is essential to sincerely repent to Allah for the prayers that were missed. Intentionally neglecting prayer is a major sin and a grave offense. Some scholars have even issued rulings of disbelief (kufr) for such individuals.Such a person must:
① Repent to Allah with sincerity
② Express remorse over their negligence
③ Make a firm resolve to be punctual in future prayers
According to Imam Ibn Taymiyyah (رحمه الله), making up intentionally missed prayers is not legislated; rather, repentance is obligatory. Shaykh Ṣāliḥ al-ʿUthaymīn (رحمه الله) also preferred this view.
If a person repents with sincerity and begins to regularly offer prayers, it is hoped from Allah that He will forgive their past sins.
✦ Summary of Key Points
◈ ✔ It is permissible to recite from a pocket Qur'an in Tahajjud, though not preferable as a permanent practice.◈ ✔ There is no obligation in Shari'ah to make up a lifetime's worth of missed prayers.
◈ ✔ Sincere repentance, remorse, and commitment to future observance are required instead.
◈ ✔ Scholars like Ibn Taymiyyah and Ibn ʿUthaymīn supported the view that making up intentionally missed prayers is not legislated.
