Question
Reference number: 744299 | Prayers | Feb. 12, 2019
Is it allowed to recite the Qur’an while the Holy Qur’an is open in front of me during performing a prayer?
Answer
Praise Be to Allah and Peace Be Upon His Messenger.
Muslim scholars have different opinions regarding reciting verses from the Holy Qur’an while it is open during performing a prayer. Some of them see that this is allowed whether a Muslim is performing the Fard or any optional prayers. Others, however, think it is allowed if a Muslim is performing an optional prayer such as the Tarawih Prayer, but it is not allowed while performing the Fard. Each group has their own evidence. Having examined their opinions. I think that reciting verses or Surahs which one memorizes is better whether a Muslim is performing an obligatory or optional prayer. This is because reciting verses which one memorizes leads to more submission since keeping the Holy Qur’an open in front of you could make you busy turning pages. It is much preferred to recite verses that you memorize once you perform the Fard. However, if one likes to recite many verses especially when performing the Tarawih prayer, and they do not memorize that amount, they are allowed to keep the Qur’an open. Al-Bukhari narrated in his book Sahih Al-Bukhari that Zakwan led Aishah RAA in a late-night prayer while the Holy Qur’an was open in front of him.
I would like to recommend that memorizing the Holy Qur’an is important. All Imams, in specific, are required to pay an effort in memorizing the Holy Qur’an and being able to recite it correctly to be able to perform prayers in a way which does not have any doubts.