A:
It is not permissible to
tape-record the Qur'an in a reverse Surah order, by starting with Surah Al-Nas and ending with Surah Al-Baqarah, because the Surahs were given the current order due to the efforts exerted by the Sahabah (Companions of the Prophet, may Allah be pleased with them) during the era of
`Uthman (may Allah be pleased with him). Muslims have been using this order since then, even when teaching the Qur'an to their children. This order is fixed and it will not change even if we memorize the Qur'an starting with the short Surahs of the Mufassal (the last 65-70 chapters of the Qur'an). Accordingly, tape-recording the Qur'an in a reverse order opposes what the Sahabah and their successors used to do and may lead to other risks. It is, thus, obligatory to keep the Qur'an in the same order of its Ayahs (Qur'anic verses) and Surahs, as passed from one Muslim generation to another, whether when writing or tape-recording it.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.