Reading Written Text while in Salaah

Q: Salaah-594: Will salaah be nullified if one read something on the wall of the Masjid that faces the Qibla? This writing could be a verse of the Qur'aan, a Hadith or something else such as a notice stating that it is forbidden to speak about worldly affairs in the Masjid. Although one reads it in the mind, the purport is clearly understood.

Answer: While it is Makrooh to intentionally read in the mind and understand it, the salaah will not be nullified. The salaah will however be nullified if the text is pronounced and the tongue moved in doing so. If the gaze fails on unintentionally on the writing, it will not be Makrooh, but sustaining the gaze will be.

And Allaah knows best what is most correct.

Fatawa Rahimiyyah vol.2