Reciting Surahs in proper order during Salah

Q 4: Is it obligatory to recite the Surahs in the first two Rak'ahs in the Qur'anic order? For example, I recite Surah Al-Fatihah and Surah Al-Takathur in the first Rak`ah, should I recite Al-Fatihah and the Surahs that follow or precede Surah Takathur in the Qur'anic order in the second Rak`ah?

A: It is preferable that the Surahs you recite after Al-Fatihah in the first and second Rak`ahs come in their order as in the Qur'an. If you recite in the first Rak`ah Surah Al-Takathur, then you should recite in the second Rak`ah the Surahs that follow it like Surah Al-`Asr or Al-Humazah. If you recite the Surahs that precede it like Surah Al-Tin and so on, there would be no harm in doing so. However, it is preferable to consider the order of the Surahs (Part No. 6; Page No. 391) when reciting the Glorious Qur'an whether in or outside Salah just as the Sahabah (Companions) of Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) used to do.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.