Q&A: Can I Switch Between Different Recitals (qira’at) of the Qur’an During the Prayer?

Q: During the salah, can I switch between different qira’at? For example doing al-Fatiha in warsh and then another Surah in Qalun?

A: It is permissible to recite in any mass-transmitted, canonical recitation of the Qur’an in the prayer. It is also permissible to change from to another, either within the same cycle (rak‘a) or in a separate one altogether, as long as the recitals aren’t mixed in a manner which is problematic according to the scholars of Qur’an.

However, it is normally going to be superior to stick to just one in congregational prayers and not to change at will lest it confuse or distract the attendees. It’s also meritorious and beneficial to stick to one to give people an opportunity to learn correct pronunciation of letters and the rules (tajwid) of the recital they are accustomed to by virtue of their cultural background or the like.

Generally speaking, canonical recitations which are unfamiliar to a particular community should be avoided lest it have a negative impact on the congregation in terms of their faith or bring about a bad opinion of the imam in their hearts. But if they are well aware that this happens in the mosque occasionally, that there are variant recitals of the Qur’an, and that their imam is properly trained, it would be fine to periodically diverge away from that which they are accustomed to, especially when it is accompanied with teaching.

And Allah knows best.

Tabraze Azam
Amman, Jordan.
24/12/2019

قال الحصكفي في الدرّ المختار شرح تنوير الأبصار ما نصّه: «ويجوز بالروايات السبع، لكن الأولى أن لا يقرأ بالغريبة عند العوام» اهـ. وقال ابن عابدين في حواشيه على الدرّ: (قوله بالغريبة) أي بالروايات الغريبة والإمالات لأن بعض السفهاء يقولون ما لا يعلمون فيقعون في الإثم والشقاء، ولا ينبغي للأئمة أن يحملوا العوام على ما فيه نقصان دينهم، ولا يقرأ عنده قراءة أبي جعفر وابن عامر وعلي بن حمزة والكسائي صيانة لدينهم فلعلهم يستخفون أو يضحكون وإن كان كل القراءات والروايات صحيحة فصيحة، ومشايخنا اختاروا قراءة أبي عمرو وحفص عن عاصم اهـ من التتارخانية عن فتاوى الحجة» اهـ

قال النووي في التبيان في آداب حملة القرآن ما نصّه: «إذا ابتدأ بقراءة أحد القراء فينبغي ألّا يزال على القراءة بها ما دام الكلام مرتبطا فإذا انقضى ارتباطه فله أين يقرأ بقراءة آخر من السبعة والأولى دوامه على الأولى في هذا المجلس» اهـ. وأقرّه ابن الجزري في النشر

DISCLAIMER: Please note that this specific religious answer is provided at the behest of the questioner, and they are not bound by its contents. Both the questioner and the reader are encouraged to consider well the applicability of this answer to their situation. The author is not responsible for any loss or damage which may occur through any reading or misapplication of this answer; nor is the violation of any law condoned.