Is it permissible for the one being led in prayer (ma'mum) to read from the Mus'haf after the Fatiha in Tarawih prayer with a surah different from what the imam is reciting?
The worshiper (ma'mum) must recite only Al-Fatiha and then listen attentively to the Imam's recitation. It is not permissible for him to recite anything beyond Al-Fatiha, whether from memory or from a Mushaf (Qur'an), due to the Almighty's saying: "And when the Qur'an is recited, listen to it and pay attention that you may receive mercy" (7:204), and due to the Prophet's (PBUH) saying: "The Imam is appointed to be followed, so when he says 'Allahu Akbar', say 'Allahu Akbar', and when he recites, listen attentively." Nothing is exempted from this except Al-Fatiha, due to the Prophet's (PBUH) saying: "Do not do so, except with the Opening of the Book (Al-Fatiha), for there is no prayer for one who does not recite it." Likewise, it is not appropriate for the worshiper to carry a Mushaf to follow the Imam's recitation, let alone to recite from it something other than the Imam's recitation.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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