Which is better: reading the Quran from the Mushaf or from memory?
In prayer, it is better to recite the Qur'an from memory. Outside of prayer, it is better for a person to do what increases their devotion. If reciting from memory increases their devotion, then that is better. If reciting from the Mushaf (physical copy of the Qur'an) increases their devotion, then that is better. If their devotion is equal in both cases, then reciting from the Mushaf is better because it combines recitation with looking and preserves one's eyesight. Weak hadiths have been narrated about the virtue of looking into the Mushaf, among them the hadith: "Looking into the Mushaf is worship..." which is fabricated, and "Give your eyes their share of worship: looking into the Mushaf..." which is also fabricated, and "Five things are from worship: little food... and looking into the Mushaf..." which is very weak.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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