Pronouncing the Integrals of the Prayer Incorrectly

Question: If someone mispronounces the integrals of the prayer, is there prayer valid? Is the prayer of those who pray behind them valid?

Answer:

Wa alaykum assalam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,

Dear questioner,

Thank you for your important question.

If one has genuinely tried one’s best to pronounce the integrals of the prayer, and after trying for sometime one genuinely cannot physically pronounce it, then one is excused, and the prayer is valid (Bushra al Karim, Ba Ishn).

‘Allah does not burden any soul with more than it can bear’ (Qur’an, 2:286).

Being unable to pronounce such letters of the Fatiha would mean that one could not lead to prayer unless those following also could not pronounce such letters (Minhaj al Talibin, Nawawi). ‘Let him among you who recites the Book of Allah the best lead you in prayer’ (Muslim).

As for the opening takbir and the tashahhud, there is room for error in their pronunciation if one is generally incapable of pronouncing them correctly, and the prayer of the follower will still be valid (Taliqat Bughyat al Mustarshidin; Tuhfa al Muhtaj, Ibn Hajar).

However, if one prays in a country or locality where people generally cannot, or simply do not, pronounce the integrals of the prayer properly, then as long as their prayer is valid according to one of the Four Schools, one should pray behind them and not worry about making up any prayers.

The general rule is that whatever takes you away from the mosque is something bad and satanic.

I pray this helps.

[Ustadh] Farid

Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Ustadh Farid Dingle has completed extensive years of study in the sciences of the Arabic language and the various Islamic Sciences. During his studies, he also earned a CIFE Certificate in Islamic Finance. Over the years he has developed a masterful ability to craft lessons that help non-Arabic speakers gain a deep understanding of the language. He currently teaches courses in the Arabic Language