Fatwa Panel of the Week – Volume02 Issue38
Obligatory Acts of Prayer
According to the fatwas of the Grand Religious Authorities: Ayatollah Sayyed Ali Khamenei, Ayatollah Sistani, and Ayatollah Makarem Shirazi (may Allah prolong their blessings):
Qirā’ah (Recitation in Prayer) -(Part two)
| Ayatollah Khamenei | Ayatollah Sistani | Ayatollah Makarem Shirazi |
|---|---|---|
| 1. In obligatory prayer, it is not permissible to recite surahs that contain a verse of obligatory prostration. If someone—whether intentionally or by mistake—recites one of those surahs and reaches the verse of prostration, according to obligatory precaution, they must perform the prostration of recitation and then rise. If the surah has not yet been completed, they should complete it and finish the prayer, and afterwards repeat the prayer. If they realize before reaching the verse of prostration, the obligatory precaution is to leave that surah, recite another surah, and then repeat the prayer after finishing. 2. If, while praying, one hears a verse of prostration being recited (by someone else), their prayer remains valid. Instead of performing the prostration directly, they should indicate it symbolically (e.g., with a gesture), and then continue the prayer. |
1. If in an obligatory prayer a person deliberately recites one of the four surahs that contain a verse of prostration, as mentioned in Issue (354), it becomes obligatory to perform the prostration after reciting that verse. However, by performing the prostration, their prayer—according to obligatory precaution—becomes invalid, and they must repeat it, unless the prostration was done out of forgetfulness. If they fail to perform the prostration, they may continue the prayer, though they have committed a sin by omitting it. If someone begins reciting a surah that contains a verse of obligatory prostration—whether intentionally or by mistake—if they realize before reaching the verse, they may leave that surah and recite another one instead. But if they realize after reciting the verse, they must act according to the ruling mentioned in the previous issue. 2. If a person hears a verse of prostration while in prayer, their prayer remains valid. If it is during an obligatory prayer, then—according to obligatory precaution—they should indicate the prostration (by gesture), and after completing the prayer, they must perform that prostration. |
1. Same fatwa.
2) Same fatwa. |
Ruling on Leaving Certain Surahs Incomplete in Prayer”
| Ayatollah Khamenei | Ayatollah Sistani | Ayatollah Makarem Shirazi |
|---|---|---|
| 1. After reciting al-Fātiḥa, if a person begins Sūrat al-Ikhlāṣ or Sūrat al-Kāfirūn, they must complete it and may not switch to another surah. An exception is in the Friday prayer: if by mistake one of these two surahs is recited instead of Sūrat al-Jumuʿah or Sūrat al-Munāfiqūn, it may be abandoned, and the correct surahs (al-Jumuʿah and al-Munāfiqūn) may be recited instead. 2. If in prayer a person begins reciting a surah other than al-Ikhlāṣ or al-Kāfirūn, they may leave it and choose another surah, provided they have not already recited more than half of it. 3. If a person forgets part of a surah they are reciting, or due to shortage of time or some other necessity cannot complete it, they must leave that surah and recite another one instead. In this case, it makes no difference whether they have already recited more than half of it, or whether the surah being recited is al-Ikhlāṣ or al-Kāfirūn or any other surah. |
1. Same Fatwa. 2. In obligatory or voluntary (nafl) prayers, if a person begins reciting a surah other than “Qul Huwa Allahu Ahad” or “Qul Ya Ayyuha al-Kafirun”, they may abandon it and recite another surah as long as they have not recited half of it. After reaching half of the surah, according to obligatory precaution, it is not permissible to leave it and switch to another surah. 3. If a person forgets part of a surah, or due to necessity (for example, shortage of time or another reason) cannot complete it, they may leave that surah and recite another one, even if they have already passed half of it, or even if the surah being recited is “Qul Huwa Allahu Ahad” or “Qul Ya Ayyuha al-Kafirun”. In the case of forgetfulness, they may suffice with whatever portion they have already recited. 4. Same Fatwa. |
1) Same Fatwa.
2. Same Fatwa. 3. Same Fatwa. 4. Same Fatwa. |
editor's pick
news via inbox
Subscribe to the newsletter.
