Is it permissible to recite the Qur'an collectively?

A: Reciting the Qur’an is an act of worship and one of the best Qurbahs (good deeds by which Allah's Pleasure is sought). The original principle regarding Qur’an recitation is that it should be according to the actual practice of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and his Sahabah (Companions of the Prophet, may Allah be pleased with them). It was not authentically reported from him or any of his Sahabah that they recited collectively; rather, each one of them would recite individually or one of them would recite and the others would listen. It was authentically reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: Keep to my Sunnah (way) and to the Sunnah of the Rightly-Guided Caliphs after me. He (peace be upon him) said: Anyone who introduces anything into this matter of ours (Islam) that is not part of it will have it rejected. According to another narration: Anyone who does an action that is not in accordance with this matter of ours (Islam) will have it rejected. It was reported that when the Prophet (peace be upon him) asked `Abdullah ibn Mas`ud (may Allah be pleased with him) to recite the Qur’an to him, he said: 'O Messenger of Allah, shall I recite the Qur’an to you when it has been revealed to you?' He (peace be upon him) said, 'I like to hear it from others.' May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.

< 1168

Congregational recit...