The Ruling Regarding the Madd Munfasil

Q: Salaah-640: What do the Ulema and Muftis have to say about an Imaam who always shortens the Madd Munfasil in the audible salaahs. is this permissible according to the rules of Tajweed in the Qiraa'ah of Imaam Hafs RAH.? If permissible, is it better to extend the letter for a long duration (TOUL) for an intermediate duration (TAW?SAT) or to shorten it (QASAR)? Because many Madrassah students attend the salaah, the Imaam's Qiraa'ah may get them into the habit of shortening the Madd as well. What is the ruling in this regard?

Answer: The permitted duration of the Madd Munfasil is the duration of 3 to 4 Alifs. It is also permissible to shorten it and no single method of recitation is binding. An Imaam may recite in all three methods. sometimes (TOUL), sometimes (TAW?SAT) and sometimes (QASAR) . He should however not always shorten it so that the students do not find it strange and so that they may learn the ruling. He may however. not combine the various methods and should adopt the same method throughout the Qiraa'ah. And Allaah knows best what is most correct.

Fatawa Rahimiyyah vol.2