Is Reading from a Phone During Salah allowed?

Last updated on March 4th, 2026 at 10:50 am

Islam is a religion that provides practical solutions to every issue one may face in life. The solutions to such problems are based on the rulings of the Imams of different schools of thought in Islam, known as Fiqh, such as Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi’i, and Hanbali. Their rulings are primarily derived from the Quran and Sunnah, while also using the concept of “Ijtehad” to give rulings on some more complex issues.

In the modern era, several inventions have become an integral part of our daily lives. One such invention is the “mobile phone”. Going further, many new features have been introduced in these phones, such as the ability to read the Quran online or in other downloadable formats. Many Muslims are now using their mobile phones to recite the Quran, as an alternative to reading from its printed version, commonly referred to as “Quran” or “Mushaf”. In this context, a very relevant question is often raised: “Is reading the Quran from a phone during Salah allowed?”

In this article, we will explore the correct answer to this sensitive question in the light of various scholarly rulings from different Islamic Jurisprudences.

Understanding the Essentials of Salah

Before exploring the answer to this question, it is important to understand what the essentials of Salah are, especially what invalidates a Salah. Whether one can read from a phone during Salah or not is largely dependent on understanding what makes a Salah invalid. Here, we will restrict this very broad subject to the specific question “Is reading from a phone during salah allowed?”

Among other essentials of a Salah, recitation of Surah Al-Fatiha is the most important, which is compulsory in each rakah (unit) of every prayer, whether Fard (Obligatory) or Nafl and Sunnah (Optional). Similarly, recitation of any other Surah or part of a Surah of the Quran, after reciting Surah Al-Fatiha, is also compulsory in every prayer, especially in the first two rakahs. Hence, it is almost a compulsion for everyone to memorize Surah Al-Fatiha and a few of the other short Surahs, so as to recite them in prayer.

Similarly, complete focus and humility are among the basic requirements of prayer, usually referred to as “khushu-o-khuzu” (خشوع, خضوع). It refers to physical and mental humility and focus during the performance of Salah. It implies that while praying, one must avoid actions or movements that may divert physical or mental attention or focus from the prayer. It includes unnecessary movement of the body, especially the face, hands, and feet.

So, in the context of the subject matter, two things are quite clear:

1. One has to memorize Surah Al-Fatiha and some other short Surahs, or small portions of longer Surahs, to recite them in Salah.
2. One must ensure there is no unnecessary movement of the face or hands while offering Salah.

Reading from a Phone During Salah

While addressing this very important and sensitive issue, it is almost a consensus among contemporary scholars that a mobile device, such as a tablet or a mobile phone, can be considered similar to Mushaf (an Arabic term that refers to the Quran, which is printed in the form of a book), for the purpose of reading. It means that reading on a phone is just like reading from the Mushaf (a printed version of the Quran).

In this regard, it is reported that a freed slave of Hazrat Aisha رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهَا used to lead prayer while reading from the Mushaf, held in his hand. It reads as follows:

Quote

Aishah رضي الله عنها was led in the Salat (prayer) by her slave Dhakwan who used to recite from the Mushaf [the written Qur’an (not from memory)].

Unquote

This forms the basis for the rulings on whether one can read on a phone during prayer. As a general scholarly opinion by the majority of modern scholars, the answer is “Yes”, considering a mobile phone or a tablet, just like a printed Quran (Mushaf), specifically for the purpose of reading the Quran in Salah, relying on the report, as quoted above. On the other hand, a major Fiqh, i.e., Fiqh Hanafi (the Hanafi School of thought, led by Imam Abu Hanifa), does not agree; they hold that this act invalidates Salah and is therefore not allowed.

However, while allowing one to read from a phone during prayer, the scholars also recommend the following:

• Avoid Excessive Movement – The reciter must avoid excessive movement when handling the phone, especially when scrolling through pages. Excessive movements can invalidate prayer.
• Avoid Diversion of Attention – If reading on a phone distracts from prayer, it may invalidate prayer. It is more likely to happen due to frequent alerts and notifications received on the phone during prayer. To avoid it, the reciter must disable alerts and notifications before standing for the prayer.
• Ensure Sanctity Of Prayer – The reverence and sanctity of prayer must be maintained under any circumstances. So, holding a phone should not affect the seriousness and humility of prayer.

Difference of Opinion Across Different Islamic Jurisprudences

While the other three schools of thought, i.e., Maliki, Shafi’i, and Hanbali, hold that reading from a Mushaf during prayers is allowed, Imam Abu Hanifa, the founder of Hanafi Fiqh, differs with them.

• Shafi’i And Hanbli Fiqh: Both Hanbali and Shaf’i are of the firm view that reading from the Mushaf during prayer, especially during Nafl and Sunnah prayer (voluntary and optional), is permissible. Hence, the scholars of these two Fiqh categorically allow reading the Quranic verses from a phone during prayers, especially the Taraweeh and Tahajjud prayers.
• Maliki Fiqh: The scholars of Maliki Fiqh also allow reading Quranic verses on a phone during prayers. However, they restrict it only to optional or voluntary prayers. According to Maliki Fiqh, it should not be done during Fard (Obligatory) prayer.
• Hanafi Fiqh: Contrary to the other three schools of thought, the scholar Imam Abu Hanifa, the founder of Hanafi Fiqh, ruled that reading from the Mushaf is not allowed during prayer, whether it is a Fard (obligatory), a Nafl (optional), or a Sunnah (voluntary). The ruling is based on the following:
• Holding the Mushaf, looking at it for reading, and turning its pages leads to a lot of movement.
• Doing so also diverts focus from prayer.
• While reading from the Mushaf, the reciter is being prompted by the Mushaf, just as if anyone else is prompting them, which leads to diverting his focus from the prayer.

So, the scholars of the Hanafi Fiqh are of the firm opinion that reading from a phone during prayer is not permissible, whether it is a Fard, Nafl, or Sunnah prayer.

Best Practices

Although a vast majority of modern scholars, except the followers of Hanafi Fiqh, allow reading from a phone during Salah, it is highly recommended by the scholars to ensure the following:

1. Try to memorize short Surahs, especially the last 10 Surahs of the Quran, so you can recite them in prayer without a phone.
2. Try to recite only what is memorized, instead of reading long Surahs, which you do not memorize.
3. Put a meaningful effort towards memorizing maximum Surahs of the Quran, instead of entirely relying on reading them from a phone during prayer.

FAQs

1. Can reading from a phone invalidate my prayer?

No, reading on a phone during prayer does not invalidate your prayer, according to the majority of modern scholars, provided movement is kept to a minimum and the focus on prayer is maintained. However, Hanafi Fiqh holds that it invalidates the prayer.

2. Is reading from a phone allowed in Taraweeh Prayer?

Yes, according to many modern scholars, it is allowed, but preferably, a Hafiz-e-Quran should lead the Taraweeh prayer.

3. Which Fiqh does not allow reading from a phone during prayer?

According to Fiqh Hanafi, it is not allowed to read from a phone during prayer, whereas the other three schools of thought allow it.

4. Is it better to read from memory instead of reading from a phone during prayer?

Yes, reading from memory is better than reading from a phone.

5. What should I do if I receive an alert or notification on my phone while reading it during a prayer?

Any such occurrence is highly likely to divert your attention from your prayer. Hence, you must ensure that you disable alerts and notifications on your mobile phone before standing for the prayer, especially if you intend to read from your phone during prayer.

Conclusion

In the modern era, a mobile phone has become a necessity in our daily lives. With that, it also attracts many Muslims to read the Quranic verses directly on their phones during prayer, as it is an essential part of every prayer to recite a complete short Surah or some verses from a long Surah. So, the question is often asked: Is it allowed in Islamic teachings to read on a phone during prayer?

Generally, modern scholars hold that it is permissible, provided it does not result in excessive movement or distraction from prayer. At the same time, they also recommend that it should be done only under compelling circumstances, and that preference be given to reading from memory rather than making it a habit or routine to read on a phone. On the other hand, Hanafi scholars are firm in their opinion that reading on a phone during prayer is not permissible.