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Reciting from Quran in Tarawih

Answered as per Hanafi Fiqh by DarulIftaBirmingham

Reciting from Quran in Tarawih

Answer:

In the name of Allah, the most Beneficent, the most Merciful.

Imam Abu Hanifah raḥimahullāh (may Allāh have mercy upon him) is of the view that ones salah will break while looking in and reciting from a Quran, whether it is a fardh prayer or a nafl prayer like tarawih.

Imam Abu Yusuf raḥimahullāh (may Allāh have mercy upon him) and Imam Muhammad raḥimahullāh (may Allāh have mercy upon him) are of the view that ones salah will not break however it is considered makruh.    (Raddul Muhtar p.383 v.2)

Imam Shafi raḥimahullāh (may Allāh have mercy upon him) is of the view that it is permissible to recite from the Quran in fardh and nafl prayers.

There are two reasons given for the opinion held by Imam Abu Hanifah raḥimahullāh (may Allāh have mercy upon him).

  1. Holding the Quran in ones hand and turning the pages is “Amal Kathir” (excessive actions)
  2. One is taking inspiration from it.   (Raddul Muhtar p.384 v.2)

The conclusion to the question is that it will not be permissible for a Hanafi to read salah behind such an Imam who reads from the Quran in the tarawih salah.  One should endeavour to read tarawih in a mosque where the aforementioned practice does not happen.

However, if it is a mixed mosque with different people from different schools of Fiqh then one may read behind such an Imam, acting upon the opinions of Imam Abu Yusuf raḥimahullāh (may Allāh have mercy upon him) and Imam Muhammad raḥimahullāh (may Allāh have mercy upon him).

Only Allah Knows Best

Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham

This answer was collected from DarulIftaBirmingham.co.uk, which is run under the supervision of Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah from the United Kingdom.

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