Fatwa ID: 01393
Answered by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah
Question:
Reciting from Quran in Tarawih
Answer:
In the name of Allah, the most Beneficent, the most Merciful.
Imam Abu Hanifah 
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 and Imam Muhammad are of the view that ones salah will not break however it is considered makruh. (Raddul Muhtar p.383 v.2)
Imam Shafi 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 .
- Holding the Quran in ones hand and turning the pages is “Amal Kathir” (excessive actions)
- 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 and Imam Muhammad .
Only Allah Knows Best
Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham
