Muslims often have questions about the proper way to practice acts of worship, particularly when they concern Quran recitation, Hajj and Umrah, and prayer in the sacred places.
Among the questions that frequently arise are whether Surah Al-Baqarah must be completed in one sitting, whether photography during Hajj and Umrah is permissible, and whether prayer in the Rawdah is allowed during times when prayer is generally discouraged.
Must Surah Al-Baqarah Be Read in One Sitting?
Surah Al-Baqarah is one of the longest and most significant chapters of the Quran, and several Prophetic narrations highlight its virtue and importance.
A Muslim does not have to read the entire surah in one uninterrupted session to benefit from its recitation. It is also not necessary to recite it aloud.
Therefore, Surah Al-Baqarah may be divided across different times, allowing a person to read part of it and complete the remainder later.
The Virtue of Surah Al-Baqarah in the Home
Abu Hurairah, may Allah be pleased with him, reported that the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
“Do not turn your houses into graves. Satan flees from a house in which Surah Al-Baqarah is recited.”
The narration is recorded by Muslim.
This hadith highlights the virtue of reciting Surah Al-Baqarah in the home and its association with Satan distancing himself from a house where it is recited.
Abu Umamah Al-Bahili, may Allah be pleased with him, also reported that the Prophet said:
“Recite Surah Al-Baqarah, for taking it is a blessing and abandoning it is a loss.”
The narration is recorded by Muslim.
The term referring to those who cannot overcome the surah has traditionally been explained as referring to sorcerers, emphasizing its great status in Islamic teachings.
Can Family Members Share the Recitation?
There is no requirement that one particular person must recite the entire surah every time.
Family members may each recite Quran according to their ability. A person who wants to complete Surah Al-Baqarah personally may also divide the recitation into several sessions.
What Is the Ruling on Photography During Hajj and Umrah?
Egypt’s Dar Al-Ifta has stated that photography during Hajj or Umrah is permissible in principle, provided it does not obstruct pilgrims, cause harm, or interfere with their worship.
Taking photographs is therefore not inherently prohibited, but excessive photography can become problematic when it creates inconvenience or distracts a pilgrim from the purpose of the sacred journey.
Why Should Excessive Photography Be Avoided?
Pilgrims are expected to maintain dignity and respectful conduct in the sacred places.
Excessive photography can sometimes disturb other worshippers, particularly elderly pilgrims and people with special needs who may require additional space and time to move.
For this reason, consideration for others is an important part of proper conduct in the sacred mosques and pilgrimage sites.
Does Photography Invalidate Hajj or Umrah?
Photography by itself does not invalidate Hajj or Umrah.
However, excessive distraction may become blameworthy if it causes a person to neglect an obligation, violate applicable regulations, or inconvenience other pilgrims.
The better approach is to keep worship, humility, and completion of the required rituals as the primary focus.
Is Prayer in the Rawdah Allowed During Disliked Prayer Times?
Egypt’s Dar Al-Ifta has stated that prayer in the Rawdah is permissible during times when prayer is generally discouraged, even when the prayer is not connected to a particular cause.
The ruling was explained through an analogy with the ruling concerning prayer in the Sacred Mosque in Makkah, according to the cited Shafi'i position.
What Are the Disliked Times for Prayer?
Islamic jurists discussed certain periods during which voluntary prayer is generally discouraged or restricted, with differences concerning some details and classifications.
The commonly identified periods include:
- After the dawn prayer until sunrise.
- From sunrise until the sun rises sufficiently above the horizon.
- When the sun is at its highest point before beginning its descent.
- After the afternoon prayer until sunset.
- During the beginning of sunset until it is complete.
Classical works of Islamic jurisprudence discuss these periods and the relevant exceptions.
Why Is Prayer in the Rawdah Permissible?
According to the stated position of Dar Al-Ifta, the Rawdah is treated similarly to the Sacred Mosque in this particular ruling.
The reasoning is based on an analogy between two sacred places, together with the principle discussed by scholars of Islamic legal theory concerning analogy in matters of legal concessions.
Accordingly, the stated ruling permits prayer in the Rawdah during these generally disliked periods.
Proper Conduct in the Sacred Places
These rulings share an important principle: Muslims should respect the sanctity of sacred places while avoiding unnecessary hardship for others.
When reciting the Quran, a person should maintain consistency and reflection according to their ability. During Hajj and Umrah, worship and proper completion of the rituals should remain the priority. In the Rawdah, worshippers should also observe proper manners and respect the rights of fellow visitors.
Key Takeaway
Surah Al-Baqarah does not have to be completed in one sitting, and Muslims may divide its recitation across different periods.
Photography during Hajj and Umrah is permissible in principle as long as it does not obstruct or harm other pilgrims or distract from the rituals.
According to the stated position of Egypt’s Dar Al-Ifta, prayer in the Rawdah is also permissible during generally disliked prayer times based on the cited analogy with the Sacred Mosque.
Must Surah Al-Baqarah be completed in one sitting?
No. It may be divided into multiple sessions according to the reader’s ability.
Must Surah Al-Baqarah be recited aloud?
No. It may be recited quietly, and raising the voice is not required.
Is photography during Hajj and Umrah forbidden?
Photography is permissible in principle, provided it does not obstruct, harm, or disturb other pilgrims.
Can a person pray in the Rawdah during disliked prayer times?
According to the stated Dar Al-Ifta ruling, yes, prayer in the Rawdah is permissible during those periods.
What are the main disliked prayer times?
They generally include the period after Fajr until sunrise, sunrise itself, solar midday, after Asr until sunset, and the beginning of sunset.
