canonical readings, there is scholarly disagreement about it. Therefore, if you recite in any mode that satisfies these three conditions, the recitation is valid and so is the prayer.

As for switching between different readings within a single prayer, that is not recommended. You should not alternate—reading one time according to Ḥafṣ, another according to Warsh, or yet another transmission. This is especially improper if it confuses the congregation or those unaccustomed to such variation; in that case it should certainly be avoided.

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Closing the eyes in prayer

Question: While praying I feel greater humility whenever I close my eyes because I no longer see what distracts me from the prayer. Is closing the eyes permissible or disliked in prayer?

Answer: The jurists state that closing one’s eyes during the prayer is disliked, except when there is a legitimate reason—such as something in front of you that distracts you. In that case there is no harm in shutting your eyes to avoid the distraction. But to make closing the eyes a habitual practice in the prayer when there is nothing distracting in front of you is disliked.

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Letting the hands hang in prayer

Question: I notice some worshippers in the mosque praying with their hands not in the correct position, but hanging down at their sides. What is the ruling on this? May Allah grant you every good.

Answer: When standing in the prayer, the Sunnah is for the worshipper to clasp his hand.