Can I hold the Qur'aan (Mus-haf) while praying Taraaweeh BEHIND an Imaam?

by Asma bint Shameem

ANSWER

Most of the scholars said that looking at the Mus-haf while reading behind an Imaam should be avoided as it is not from the Sunnah.

🍃 Someone asked Shaykh ibn Baaz:

“What is the ruling on the person praying behind the Imaam holding the Mus-haf during Taraaweeh prayers?

The Shaykh said:

“I do not know of any basis for that.

It seems that he should focus with proper humility and not hold the Mus-haf, rather he should place his right hand over his left as is the Sunnah, placing the right hand over the left wrist and forearm and placing them over his chest.

This is the most correct view and is best.

Holding the Mus-haf will distract him from these Sunnahs, and his heart and eyes may become busy following the words on the pages and that may distract him from listening to the Imaam.

What I think is that not doing that is the Sunnah, and that he should listen attentively and not use the Mus-haf.”

(Majmoo’ Fataawa al-Shaykh Ibn Baaz, 11/340-342)

So generally speaking, it is more preferred that one should NOT be holding the Qur'aan or reading from it directly while praying Taraaweeh behind an Imaam.

That’s because order we’re ordered to listen to the recitation of the Imaam, fold our hands on the chest and look at the place of sujood when praying begins an Imaam.

So in order to follow the etiquettes of salaah and avoid excessive movements., it’s best not to hold the Mus-haf in your hand or look at it while praying in jama’ah.

🔹HOWEVER, if reading from the Qur'aan while praying Taraaweeh,  gives you BETTER UNDERSTANDING of what the Imaam is reading, (that goes especially for non-Arabic speaking people), and gives you MORE KHUSHOO' and CONCENTRATION, then according to some of the scholars, it is permissible to hold the Qur'aan and look at it in order to follow the recitation of the Imaam.  

This is for the person who's reading behind the Imaam. 

However it would be best to avoid it.

My advise would be to read the Aayaat that the Imaam is expected to read, before you come to the masjid, during the day. And read the meanings as well.

This way it will help you to understand the Aayaat and concentrate better when the Imaam recites them later on at night.

🔹As for the one who's reading any prayer except the fardh prayer, on his OWN, it's perfectly fine to look at the Qur'aan and read it while praying. 

And there's no problem in it. 

🔹What if I am the Imaam and leading others in Taraaweeh? 

Can I look at the Qur'aan and lead the people in prayer?

Yes that's allowed. 

📌 PROOF

Our Mother ‘Aa’ishah radhi Allaahu anhaa used to tell her freed slave Dhakwaan to lead her in praying qiyaam in Ramadhaan, and he used to read from the Mus-haf (Qur'aan). (al-Bukhaari)

And Allaah knows best.