“Among them are unlettered people who know nothing of the Book except wishful recitation.” (Q 2:78) That is, they merely chant it without understanding. The purpose for which the Quran was sent down is to grasp its meanings and live by them, not to recite it alone. End of his words—may Allah have mercy on him.
Some mosque imams do not perform Tarawih in the prescribed manner: they rush through the Qur’an so quickly that the words are not rendered correctly, and they show no composure in the standing, bowing, or prostration—although composure is a pillar of prayer. They also opt for the lowest number of rakʿahs, thus combining few units with a shortened prayer and poor recitation. This is tampering with an act of worship.1 They must therefore fear Allah, improve their prayer, and not deprive themselves or those praying behind them of observing Tarawih as it was legislated.2
1) Some imams broadcast their recitation outside the mosque through loudspeakers, thereby disturbing neighbouring mosques; this is impermissible. Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyya said: “If someone is reciting the Quran while others around him are performing voluntary prayers, he must not raise his voice in a way that distracts them; for the Prophet ﷺ once came upon his Companions praying in the mosque and said: ‘O people, each of you is communing with his Lord, so let none of you raise his voice over that of another in recitation.’” Majmuʿ al-Fatawa, 23:61-64.
2) Other imams rush through long passages simply to complete a full khatma (recital of the entire Quran) during the first or middle ten nights of Ramadan. Once they finish, they leave the mosque, travel for ʿumra, and appoint in their place someone who may be unfit to lead. This is a serious error and a breach of the trust placed upon them. Leading the congregation until the end of the month is a personal obligation, whereas ʿumra is merely recommended; abandoning an obligation for a recommendation is unacceptable. Remaining in one’s mosque to fulfil this duty is better than performing ʿumra.
Some imams, after completing the khatma, shorten the prayers and reduce the recitation during the remaining nights—the very nights of emancipation from the Fire. It is as though they believe the sole purpose of tarawih and tahajjud is to finish the Quran, not to revive these blessed nights through standing in prayer, following the example of the Prophet ﷺ and seeking their merits. This attitude reflects ignorance and a misuse of worship. We ask Allah to guide them to what is right.