Recitation of the Qur’an in the prayer
Question: Our Friday imam, in the audible prayers, makes the recitation in the second rak‘ah long and shortens it in the first. Is this in line with the Sunnah or contrary to it?
Answer: This is regarded as contrary to what is preferable. The preferable and better practice is for the first rak‘ah of Dhuhr, ‘Asr, and the rest of the prayers to be longer than the second. Doing the opposite is contrary to what is preferable—provided the extra length is considerable. If the added length is only slight, a small increase, then there is no harm in it, God willing.
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Displaying Qur’anic verses
Question: Is it permissible to hang decorative plaques in homes that bear Qur’anic verses?
Answer: Allah revealed the Qur’an as guidance, light, and a healing for what is in the hearts. He sent it down so that it would be recited, pondered, acted upon, and that people might be illumined by its guidance; to be taken as an imam and leader to Allah, the Exalted, and to His Garden. It is Allah’s proof against His creation, as the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “The Qur’an is a proof for you or against you.” If you hold fast to it and act upon it, it becomes a proof in your favor and your guide to Paradise; but if you turn away from it, it becomes a proof against you, driving you toward the Fire because of your opposition and failure to act by it. This, then, is the duty we owe to the Qur’an.