✍ Written by: Imran Ayub Lahori
Maintaining the sequential order of Surahs (as they appear in the Mushaf) during recitation in Salah is neither obligatory (wājib) nor a Sunnah Mu’akkadah. The evidence from Hadith and scholarly practice supports flexibility in this regard.
It is narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ once recited the following Surahs in a single Salah:
Sūrah al-Baqarah, then Sūrah al-Nisā’, and then Sūrah Āl ʿImrān.
[Muslim: 772; Aḥmad: 5/382]
✔ This sequence shows a departure from the Mushaf order, as Āl ʿImrān comes before al-Nisā’, indicating that changing the order is permissible.
Imām al-Bukhārī established the following chapter heading in his Ṣaḥīḥ:
"Bāb al-Jamʿ bayna al-Sūratayn fī al-Rakʿah wa al-Qirāʾah bi al-Khawātīm wa bi Sūrah qabla Sūrah wa bi Awwal Sūrah"
"Chapter: Reciting two Surahs in one rakʿah, reciting from the end of a Surah, reciting one Surah before another, and reciting from the beginning of a Surah."
[Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī – Kitāb al-Adhān]
✔ Under this chapter, various Athār (statements of companions) and narrations have been presented to affirm the permissibility of altering the order of Surahs, whether by:
– Reciting two Surahs in one rakʿah,
– Reciting from the end of a Surah,
– Reciting a Surah before another,
– Starting from the beginning of a Surah.
❖ Maintaining the Mushaf order of Surahs in Salah is not wājib.
❖ Nor is it a Sunnah Mu’akkadah to strictly follow the order.
❖ The Prophet ﷺ recited out of order, and this is documented in Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim.
❖ Imām al-Bukhārī and other scholars also affirmed this practice through authentic evidence.
Conclusion:
It is permissible to recite Surahs out of their Mushaf sequence during Salah. However, it is generally recommended to avoid reversing the order frequently or habitually, to preserve the natural flow and structure of the Qur'anic message.
❀ Ruling on the Order of Surahs in Recitation During Salah
Maintaining the sequential order of Surahs (as they appear in the Mushaf) during recitation in Salah is neither obligatory (wājib) nor a Sunnah Mu’akkadah. The evidence from Hadith and scholarly practice supports flexibility in this regard.
① Hadith: The Prophet ﷺ Changed the Order of Surahs
It is narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ once recited the following Surahs in a single Salah:
Sūrah al-Baqarah, then Sūrah al-Nisā’, and then Sūrah Āl ʿImrān.
[Muslim: 772; Aḥmad: 5/382]✔ This sequence shows a departure from the Mushaf order, as Āl ʿImrān comes before al-Nisā’, indicating that changing the order is permissible.
② Statement of Imām al-Bukhārī رحمه الله
Imām al-Bukhārī established the following chapter heading in his Ṣaḥīḥ:
"Bāb al-Jamʿ bayna al-Sūratayn fī al-Rakʿah wa al-Qirāʾah bi al-Khawātīm wa bi Sūrah qabla Sūrah wa bi Awwal Sūrah"
"Chapter: Reciting two Surahs in one rakʿah, reciting from the end of a Surah, reciting one Surah before another, and reciting from the beginning of a Surah."
[Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī – Kitāb al-Adhān]✔ Under this chapter, various Athār (statements of companions) and narrations have been presented to affirm the permissibility of altering the order of Surahs, whether by:
– Reciting two Surahs in one rakʿah,
– Reciting from the end of a Surah,
– Reciting a Surah before another,
– Starting from the beginning of a Surah.
Summary of Rulings:
❖ Maintaining the Mushaf order of Surahs in Salah is not wājib.
❖ Nor is it a Sunnah Mu’akkadah to strictly follow the order.
❖ The Prophet ﷺ recited out of order, and this is documented in Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim.
❖ Imām al-Bukhārī and other scholars also affirmed this practice through authentic evidence.
Conclusion:
It is permissible to recite Surahs out of their Mushaf sequence during Salah. However, it is generally recommended to avoid reversing the order frequently or habitually, to preserve the natural flow and structure of the Qur'anic message.
