If you recite the Qur'an incorrectly, is the prayer invalidated?

In principle, the verses of the Qur'an should be recited correctly in prayer, following the rules of tajwid. This means the person praying must pay attention to the correct pronunciation of the letters (makhraj), the final vowel of the word (i‘rab), the proper recitation of shaddah and tanwin, the elongation of certain letters (madd), the correct articulation of qalqalah letters, the rules of idgham and iqlab, and the rules of wasl. This is important because reciting a verse incorrectly can change its meaning. If the meaning of the verse is changed, the prayer may be invalidated.

However, if the mistake is not a major one—meaning the verse’s meaning is not changed to something contrary to religion or Shariah—Hanafi scholars have considered such a prayer valid (Fatawa Qazikhan, 1/87). For example, in Surah al-Fatiha, if someone mistakenly reads “al-hamdu” as “al-hamda” or “al-hamadu,” the prayer is not invalidated, because the meaning does not change. Similarly, if “na‘budu” is read as “na‘badu” or “na‘bidu,” the prayer is still valid. But if someone deliberately recites a verse incorrectly, the prayer is invalid and this is considered a major sin.

If a person substitutes one letter for another in a way that does not change the meaning, the prayer is not invalidated. For example, reading “innal muslimina” as “innal muslimuna,” substituting “ya” for “waw.”

If in the verse “inna ash-shaytana yanzaghu baynahum,” the word “yanzaghu” is read as “yanza‘u” (changing the letter ghayn to ‘ayn), the prayer is not invalidated.

The verse says: “Indeed, Satan always tries to sow discord among them” (Surah al-Isra, 53).

Changing ghayn to ‘ayn here results in the meaning “Satan wants to separate them,” which is not considered a major mistake, as the essential meaning remains true.

If in the Qur’an, the word “al-qanitina” (devoutly obedient men) is read with a heavy “ta” instead of a light one, as “al-qanitina” (men who have lost hope), the prayer is invalidated (Surah al-Ahzab, 35).

If letters are substituted in a way that changes the meaning, the prayer may be invalidated. For example, reading “fasuhqun li ashabis-sa‘ir” (let the people of Hell be far from Allah’s mercy) as “fasuhqun li ashabish-sha‘ir” (let the people of barley be far from Allah’s mercy), substituting “sin” for “shin.”

If during prayer, in the verse “farra min qaswarah” (fleeing from a lion), the word “qaswarah” (lion) is read as “kawsarah” (a vessel made of reeds), by switching the letters, the prayer is invalidated (Surah al-Muddaththir, 51). Of course, such mistakes can happen during prayer. Therefore, one should try to memorize the Qur’an correctly and recite it without mistakes in prayer. If a verse is recited incorrectly, one should consult knowledgeable imams for a ruling.

Hasan AMANKUL,

“Munara” newspaper, No. 7, 2023