Q: During the month of Ramadan, some performers of Prayer reprimand us for the recitation of one Ayah (Qur'anic verse) or two Ayahs only in each Rak`ah. We may recite from Ayah no. 1 to Ayah no. 13 of Surah Al-Baqarah in four Rak`ahs and sometimes in six Rak`ahs. Is such practice permissible? May Allah safeguard you and guide you to the right path!

A: With regard to Qiyam-ul-Layl (optional Prayer at night), it was reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) would prolong the Prayer including the recitation. Moreover, there are many Prophetic Hadiths on this point. When Abu Salamah (may Allah be pleased with him) asked `Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) about the prayer of Allah's Messenger during the month of Ramadan, she said, "Allah's Messenger never exceeded eleven Rak`ahs in Ramadan or in other months; he used to offer four Rak`ahs -- do not ask me about their beauty and length, (Part No. 6; Page No. 86) then four Rak`ahs, do not ask me about their beauty and length, and then three Rak`ahs." (Related by Al-Bukhari and Muslim). Also, it was authentically reported that the Prophet's Companions (may Allah be pleased with them), who were gathered by `Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) to perform the Tarawih Prayer (special supererogatory night Prayer in Ramadan) as a congregational prayer, would prolong recitation to the point that they would lean over their sticks to bear standing for prayer. Thus, it is legally prescribed that during the Tarawih Prayer the Imam should prolong recitation to the extent that the Prayer does not become burdensome for the performers of Salah; otherwise he should recite some few Ayahs of the Holy Qur'an in each Rak`ah. As for the practice of reciting one Ayah or two Ayahs of the Qur'an in each Rak`ah, it is better to abandon such practice, as it leads the performers of Prayer not to listen to as many parts of the Holy Qur'an and deprives them of the reward of listening to the Holy Qur'an. The Imams should fear Allah (Exalted be He) as regards the Prayer. Moreover, they ought to give advice to the people being led in the Prayers and interest them in the Prayer with long recitation to get the best reward, as much as possible.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.