The answer: It is permissible to recite one, two, or more verses from the middle of a surah. Nevertheless, it is preferable not to do so. Ibn al-Qayyim even mentioned in Zad al-Ma‘ad (1) that it has not been recorded that the Prophet ﷺ ever recited from the middle of a surah. Yet it may be said that it is authentically established that, in the sunnah prayer before Fajr, he would recite in the first rak'ah:

“Say, ‘We believe in Allah ...’” [al-Baqarah: 136]

and in the second:

“Say, ‘People of the Book, let us come to a word common between us and you ...’” (2) [Al ‘Imran: 64]

The basic principle is that whatever is established concerning a voluntary prayer is likewise established concerning an obligatory prayer, unless there is evidence to the contrary. Thus, the correct view is that a person may recite one, two, or more verses from the middle of a surah, and there is nothing wrong with this in either obligatory or voluntary prayers.

He may repel anyone passing directly in front of him, count the verses, prompt his imam, put on a garment, wrap his turban, and kill a snake, a scorpion, or lice...

His statement, “He may repel anyone passing directly in front of him”: “He may” refers to the worshipper, and the preposition here denotes permissibility. This is in accordance with the rule in the principles of jurisprudence: when scholars use this form of expression, it denotes permissibility, just as their use of “upon” denotes obligation. Thus, when they say:

“It is incumbent upon him to do ...”

that is, it is obligatory.

“He may do ...”

that is, it is permissible.

Therefore, the author’s statement, “He may repel anyone passing directly in front of him,” implies that this is permissible.

His statement, “repel anyone passing,” includes both human beings and non-human creatures, as well as those whose passing invalidates the prayer and those whose passing does not invalidate it.

Accordingly, if someone wishes to pass directly in front of a person praying, we would say: