Correcting the Imam’s Recitation (luqma)

Darulifta Ahlesunnat

(Dawateislami)

Question

   What do the honourable scholars say about this issue: an imam recited Surah al-Qadr in Isha’s first Rak’at of prayer and accidently left out a verse. One of those participating in the congregation, a child who is a hafiz, prompted the imam with a luqma, which the imam heard and corrected his error. The entire prayer was then completed as normal. My questions are: was this a correct occasion for giving luqma? Can a non-adult child interject like this? The hafiz in question is eleven years old and performs prayer correctly.

بِسْمِ اللہِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِیْمِ

اَلْجَوَابُ بِعَوْنِ الْمَلِکِ الْوَھَّابِ اَللّٰھُمَّ ھِدَایَۃَ الْحَقِّ وَالصَّوَابِ

   In this situation, even if the skipping of a verse did not result in any distortion in meaning, it still amounts to a mistake in recitation. Interjecting with luqma is therefore valid in this situation due to it being Mansoos.

   The child who gave luqma is sensible and close to the age of puberty; when he performs the actions of the prayer correctly, then there is no negative effect on the prayer whatsoever due to his luqma. The prayer is correct and valid.

وَاللہُ اَعْلَمُ عَزَّوَجَلَّ وَرَسُوْلُہ اَعْلَم صَلَّی اللّٰہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّم