Recitation of the Qur'aan in the Fajr Salaah

Q: Salaah-16: Despite knowing Surahs such as Surah Mulk and Surah Yaaseen, the Imaam recites Surahs like Surah Duha, Surah Inshiraah, Surah Teen and the last Ruku of Surah Jumu'ah in the Fajr salaah. As a result, many worshippers do not perform their Sunnah salaah for fear of missing the salaah. What is the ruling in this regard?

Answer: For an Imaam to habitually recite such short Qiraa'ah in the Fajr salaah is contrary to the Sunnah and Makrooh. If there is no excuse, the Imaam as well as a person performing Fajr individually should recite a Surah from the Tiwaal Mufassal (from Surah Hujuraat until Surah Burooj) in each Rakaah of Fajr. This is Masnoon and Mustahab. Otherwise, he should recite forty medium length verses from another portion of the Qur'aan. This is the minimum. The average is to recite between forty and sixty verses, while the best is to recite a hundred verses. One should however take the fevour of the Imaam and worshippers into consideration. It will also be correct to shorten the Qiraa'ah for a good reason such as shortage of time. And Allaah knows best what is most correct.

Fatawa Rahimiyyah vol.2