Question:
Assalamualaikum. What is the ruling of looking at the mushaf al-Quran in obligatory and sunnah prayers? If this is permissible, is it permissible for both the imam and makmum?
Answer:
Waalaikumussalam wrt, wbt.,
Alhamdulillah, praise and thanks to Allah for the countless blessings He has blessed us all with. Blessings and salutations to the Prophet Muhammad PBUH, his wives, his family, companions and all those that follow his teachings to the day of judgement.
The worship of prayer is one of the main worships in the daily life of a Muslim. We are sanctioned to recite the verses of the Quran in prayer. This is stated in the statement of Allah SWT:
فَاقْرَءُوا مَا تَيَسَّرَ مِنْهُ وَأَقِيمُوا الصَّلَاةَ
“So, recite what is easy [for you] of the Qur'an.”
Surah al-Muzammil (20)
Regarding the question asked, we have answered it in our previous article: Al-Kafi #423: Opinions of Scholars Regarding the Ruling of Reading the Mushaf in Prayer [1]. In this article, we have detailed the answer to this issue.
The Ruling of the Imam Looking at the Mushaf al-Quran in Prayer
Scholars have differing opinions on the ruling of an imam looking at the mushaf al-Quran in prayer and their opinions are divided as the following:
The first opinion: An imam who looks at the mushaf al-Quran in prayer, then his prayer is invalid, regardless of whether it is obligatory or sunnah prayer. This is the opinion in madhhab Imam Abu Hanifah Rahimahullah. Refer al-Mabsut (1/201-202), Bada’i al-Sana’i fi Tartib al-Syara’i (1/236).
The arguments for the first opinion:
- Holding or leafing through the Quran as well looking while thinking and contemplating on the contents of the Quran are considered as a plural act and this affects the prayer.
- For one worship (looking at the mushaf) is supported to another worship (prayer).
- It is analogically deduced that a person looking at the mushaf al-Quran is the same as a person learning from the mushaf. This situation is the same as a person learning from a teacher in his prayer. Thus, this act invalidates the prayer.
The second opinion: It is permissible to look and recite the mushaf al-Quran in obligatory and sunnah prayers, it is even ruled as wajib to look at the mushaf if a person does not memorize the Fatihah. This is the opinion in madhhab al-Syafi’e and Imam Ahmad Rahimahullah. Refer al-Majmu’ Syarh al-Muhazzab (4/95), Raudhah at-Tolibin wa ‘Umdat al-Muftin (1/294), al-Mughni (1/411), Hasyiyah ar-Raudh al-Murbi’ (2/110).
Evidences for the second opinion:
- ‘Aisyah RA once was a makmum to a freed slave named Zakwan who recites the Quran while looking at the mushaf.
Imam al-Bukhari narrated it through mu’allaq at the beginning of the chapter (إمامة العبد والمولى) in Sahih al-Bukhari (1/140). Imam al-Nawawi evaluated its sanad as sahih. Refer al-Khulasoh (1/500). Ibn Abi Syaibah and al-Baihaqi also narrated a similar matter in Musannaf ibn Abi Syaibah (2/123) and Sunan al-Kubra (2/253).
Al-Hafiz Ibn Hajar Rahimahullah said: “This hadith is the evidence on the permissibility of a person who is praying to recite the Quran while looking at the mushaf.” Refer Fath al-Bari Syarh Sahih al-Bukhari (2/185).
This incident is a clear evidence because when Zakwan is praying while looking at the mushaf, ‘Aisyah RA did not refute or rebuke his action. If it is impermissible, surely ‘Aisyah RA would have restricted him from doing so.
- Imam al-Zuhri was once asked regarding a man who recites the Quran while looking at the mushaf in prayer, he replied: “The chosen and best among us recites the Quran by looking at the mushaf in prayer in the month of Ramadhan.” Refer Mathalib Uli an-Nuha Syarh Ghayat al-Muntaha (1/484).
- The Prophet PBUH holds his grandchild Umamah RA while he was praying as narrated in Sahih al-Bukhari (516) and Sahih Muslim (543). If there is no restriction for him to hold Umamah RA in prayer, the same is applicable of which there is also no restriction for a person to hold and recite the mushaf while praying. It also helps to lengthen the time of standing in prayer and increases khusyu’ as stated by Allah SWT: (قُومُواْ لِلّهِ قَانِتِينَ) “…and stand before Allah, devoutly obedient.”
The third opinion: It is makruh to look at the mushaf in obligatory prayer, while looking at the mushaf in sunnah prayer is permissible. This is the opinion in madhhab Imam Malik Rahimahullah. Refer al-Dzakhirah (2/408), al-Jami li Masail al-Mudawwanah (3/1190).
The dalil for the third opinion:
- The hadith of ‘Aisyah RA who was a makmum to Zakwan as stated as the first evidence for the second opinion.
The hadith narrates how Zakwan was an imam and recites the Quran by looking at the mushaf. ‘Aisyah RA followed him without contradicting his actions. However, it is makruh (undesirable), for it is feared that people will not memorize the Quran and they would prefer to recite it by looking at the mushaf and not through memorization.
- Looking at the mushaf is a worship, reciting the Quran is a worship, combining one worship with another is not harm it but it is makruh (undesirable).
- It is similar to the practice of the People of the Book who recite the texts of their scripture in their worship.
The Ruling of a Makmum Looking at the Mushaf in Prayer
Regarding the situation of a makmum, we should look at the commentary of scholars on the following statement of Allah SWT:
وَإِذَا قُرِئَ الْقُرْآنُ فَاسْتَمِعُوا لَهُ وَأَنْصِتُوا لَعَلَّكُمْ تُرْحَمُونَ
“So, when the Qur'an is recited, then listen to it and pay attention that you may receive mercy.”
Surah al-A’araf (204)
Imam Ibn Kathir Rahimahullah commented on this verse saying: “Allah SWT has commanded us to keep quiet when the verses of the Quran are recited honouring the Quran, unlike what was done by the Quraisy disbelievers as stated in His statement in surah al-Fussilat, verse 26. This is emphasized when the imam is reciting it in the obligatory prayer as stated in a hadith narrated by Imam Muslim in his Sahih:
إِنَّمَا جُعِلَ الْإِمَامُ لِيُؤْتَمَّ بِهِ، فَإِذَا كَبَّرَ فَكَبِّرُوا، وَإِذَا قَرَأَ فَأَنْصِتُوا
“The Imam is appointed to be followed. So, recite takbir when he recites it, and when he recites the Quran, listen to him,”
Sahih Muslim (404)
See Tafsir al-Qur’an al-‘Azim (3/536)
Imam Ibn Jarir al-Tobari Rahimahullah said: “Mufassirun have differing opinions as to the situation when Allah SWT commanded us to keep quiet and listen to the recitation of the Quran; some of them are of the opinion that it is when the makmum listens to the recitation of the imam in prayer and the verse is revealed because of this.” Refer Jami’ al-Bayan fi Ta’wil al-Qur’an (13/345).
We (the Companions) were behind the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) at the dawn prayer, and he recited (the passage), but the recitation became difficult for him. Then when he finished, he said: Perhaps you recite behind your imam? We replied: Yes, it is so, Messenger of Allah. He said:
لا تَفعَلوا إلَّا بفاتحةِ الكتابِ؛ فإنَّه لا صلاةَ لمَن لم يَقرَأْ بها
Do not do so except when it is Fatihat al-Kitab, for he who does not recite it is not credited with having prayed.”
Sunan Abu Daud (823)
Syeikh Syu’aib al-Arnaouth Rahimahullah evaluated this hadith as sahih lighairihi. This hadith has a syahid from a hadith narrated by an unnamed Companion and taken out by Imam Ahmad (18070), its sanad is sahih. Refer Takhrij Sunan Abi Daud (2/116)
Syeikh Abd Karim al-Khudair Hafizahullah said: “Whoever holds the Quran in tarawih prayer to follow the recitation of the imam has contradicted the obligation of a makmum to keep quiet and listen to the recitation of the imam, not busying himself with other matters, thus, this should not be done by the makmum. Whereas for an imam who does not memorize the Quran and look at the mushaf to recite it, this is permissible insyaAllah.” Refer Fatawa Nur ‘ala ad-Darb (the fifth halaqah, no. fatwa: 3712)
Conclusion
In our opinion, it is permissible to recite the Quran by looking at the mushaf for an imam and those who are praying alone, whether it is for obligatory or sunnah prayers if by looking at the mushaf it can lengthen the time of standing and helps in improving a person’s khusyu’ in prayer. However, in our opinion, it is best to recite the verses of the Quran without looking at the mushaf in prayer if there is no need to do so.
We would also like to cite the statement of Imam al-Khatib al-Syarbini Rahimahullah: “However, reciting the verses of the Quran and leafing through the mushaf is permissible on the condition that it is not done three times consecutively and it is only done if there is a need. If it is intentionally done without any need, then it is makruh (undesirable).” Refer Mughni al-Muhtaj Ila Ma’rifah Ma’ani Alfaz al-Minhaj (1/419).
We are also of the opinion that it is best if the makmum do not look at the mushaf or other similar actions such as looking at his handphone when following the imam. The reason is the makmum would miss a greater sunnah which is to listen and focus, looking at the place of prostration, placing his hands on his chest and it could also result in excessive movement when there is no need to do so.
Hopefully, this brief explanation could help in answering this question that often arises in our society especially in the month of Ramadhan. May Allah SWT grant us goodness and sahih understanding in Islam as well as give us the strength to practise it. Amin.
Endnotes:
[1] http://www.muftiwp.gov.my/ms/artikel/al-kafi-li-al-fatawi/1329-al-kafi-423-pendapat-para-ulama-berkenaan-hukum-membaca-mushaf-di-dalam-solat?highlight=WyJtZWxpaGF0IiwiJ21lbGloYXQnIiwibWVsaWhhdCciLCJtdXNoYWY