THE FIQH DEPARTMENT

In the Name of Allah, The Most Beneficent, The Most Merciful.
Although every Fiqh opinion is based on evidence, often times, the scholars differ in their views. This room for differences is a mercy from Allah, and as long as there is evidence to support an opinion, then we must respect scholars' views, even if we may not always agree.
The Prophet (SAW) said:
"Whoever performs Ijtihad and errs will receive one reward. Whoever performs Ijtihad and arrives at the correct answer gets double the reward"
(Bukhari) 
Carrying the Quran in Taraweeh Prayer PDF Print E-mail
Fiqh: Islamic Jurisprudence - Ramadan
Written by Ahmad Jibril   

Question:

Some sisters during Taraweeh leave a Qu'ran in front of them and after the Imam recites the Fatiha they step forward, bend over, pick up their Qu'ran and then follow along with the Imam. Once the Imam finishes and says "Allahu Akbar" they again bend down, place the Qu'ran in front of them and then step back and go into rukoo3. Is this ok?

 

Answer:

There are two reasons for one to carry the Qur'an.
1. To correct the Imam if the Imam is not good in memorization and this may be slightly more tolerable than the 2nd.
2. To follow with the recitation.

In the situation carrying the mus-haf and then following, as in the scenario you mentioned, should be avoided but may not reach the point of haram.

Those who carry the Qur'an during taraweeh do not realize what they are missing out on:

a) The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said specifically about the prayer that if the Imam reads then (ansit), which means "listen" and not "read along", preoccupy yourself and follow the verses physically. How do we follow the verses correctly? We follow these verses correctly by our eyes focusing on the floor (which give more khushoo3). This is the appropriate place for the eyes during prayer.
c) Looking at Qur'an following along usually takes from thinking of the verses.
d) Flipping pages are additional unnecessary movements and take from the khushoo3 of the prayer.
e) Carrying the Qur'an is an unnecessary movement and can take from the khushoo3
f) Not placing the right hand over left hand on the chest appropriately as we must do because one carries the Qur'an
g) Possibly not making rukoo3 and sujood right if one places the Qur'an under his armpits (as some do)
h) taking a step forward or backward as you mentioned is also additional movements that are necessary and take from one's khushoo3.

All of these actions take away from the khushoo3 of the prayer.

Although there are madhabs like the later Hanafy scholars who consider one's prayer void for carrying the mus-haf, I don't think it will reach that ruling. But by all means it is best not to carry the Qur'an and instead just listen and try to understand the meaning.

 

Sheikh Ahmad Musa Jibril