Fatwa ID: 03278

Answered by: Alimah Sabrina Saidova

Question

I would just like to ask is it permissible to read the Quran in my mind?

If I read anything aloud not just the Quran, I struggle at times. So I read in my head. However I often have people tell me I should lip the words as I pray but I make far too many mistakes when I do so, and one should, of course, avoid making mistakes at all when praying the Quran.

I understand that Arabic is a very fragile language where the change of sound, spelling, misreading, skipping letters/words can make a great change in the meaning in some verses. So I am unsure what to do.

JazakAllah for taking the time out to read.

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيْم

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful 

Answer:

Qira’ah (recitation) in prayer is compulsory in at least the first two units of the fardh prayer. As for the last two units, you have a choice either to pray or remain silent.[1]

Recitation has been interpreted in two ways, some scholars say that the recitation must be so read so loudly that the sound reaches the ears, and other scholars say it’s not necessary for the ears to hear the recitation but at least the tongue and lips should move.[2]

Therefore, reading the Qur’an in one’s mind whilst in prayer is not permissible, and prayer would not be fulfilled. If one has remained silent in all four units of his fardh prayer, he will have to do qadhaa of two Rakat.[3]

Moreover, it must be kept in mind that making such errors whilst reciting in salah that alter the meaning of the Qur’an in such a way that leads to an incorrect belief will invalidate the salah. [4]

Keeping all this in mind, please make an effort to learn a few surahs properly through which you can perform your salah without any deficiencies and in the meantime perhaps try attending congregational prayer either behind your male family members who can recite well or in the masjid until you learn to recite properly. Lastly, when you have to pray alone and still end up making some mistakes since you’re in a difficult state, it brings about easiness, therefore even with mistakes here and there, your salah will be accepted as long as you’re making an effort to learn proper recitation.

Only Allah knows best

Answered by Alimah Sabrina Saidova

Checked and approved Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham