#LIFE_LESSONS

Correct Mistakes in the Best Manner Question: I live in a foreign country where those who recite the Qur'ān correctly during prayer are few. The imam here makes many mistakes in reciting Al-Fātiḥah and other parts of the Qur'ān—errors that sometimes alter the meaning. By the grace and mercy of Allāh, I have memorised the entire Qur'ān. When I tried to advise the imam through some people close to him, he began to feel uneasy during prayer whenever he saw me. This situation is common in most masjids in this country. I have established Qur'ān classes where children learn to recite and memorise, but I am unable to serve as an imam myself due to local security regulations. What should I do, knowing that the mistakes made by some imams in reciting Al-Fātiḥah may reach as many as seventeen errors? I also ask for your du'a—for guidance and steadfastness. Sheikh Sulayman Ar-Ruhaili ḥafidhahullāh: We ask Allāh, the Almighty, to keep us and you firm upon the truth, and to guide all Muslims. My dear brother, teaching the imams should take priority even over teaching the children. Therefore, strive to teach the imam at least how to recite Al-Fātiḥah properly. Visit him in his home and say to him: “Dear sir, may Allāh reward you for leading us in prayer and for maintaining congregational worship in this place, where perhaps, without your efforts, no one would pray. I would like to recite Al-Fātiḥah with you so that we may benefit mutually and help one another perfect our recitation. I can't find anyone better than you in this country to read with.” You should recite Al-Fātiḥah together, just, as is reported, Al-Ḥasan and Al-Ḥusayn (may Allah be pleased with them) did with the man who did not perform ablution correctly. They said to him, “Our uncle, my brother and I have differed about which of us performs ablution better, so we would like you to judge between us.” Al-Ḥasan performed ablution, then Al-Ḥusayn did likewise. The man then realised his own mistake and said, “By Allāh, both of you perform ablution better than I do,” and thus he learned through this method. Similarly, you should approach the imam kindly, saying, “Dear uncle, I wish to study the Qur'ān with you, beginning with Al-Fātiḥah,” and then recite it with him, tactfully drawing attention to the mistakes. I believe this becomes an individual obligation upon you if you are able to do so, given the circumstances you described. As for the imam who does not recite Al-Fātiḥah correctly, if he truly exerts his best effort and cannot do better, his prayer remains valid, even if the errors alter the meaning. However, if another person who can recite correctly is available, then that person should lead the prayer. In any case, my advice is that you strive as much as possible to teach the imams and not to abandon congregational prayer because of this issue. If, however, you find that the imam’s mistakes alter the meanings significantly, you may pray with them and then repeat your prayer later at home—this is acceptable Allāh willing. #tarbiyah@masjidsahabah