According to the fatwas of Imam Khomeini, the Supreme Leader, and many other Islamic jurists, if a person intentionally mispronounces words in prayer, their prayer is invalid and must be made up (performed again as *qaḍāʾ*). However, if the mispronunciation occurs unintentionally or by mistake, the prayer is considered valid.
According to the Religious Rulings Service of Saed News Agency, prayer (salat) is one of the most important acts of worship in Islam, and its validity depends on observing specific etiquettes and conditions. One significant aspect is the correct pronunciation of recitations and phrases during prayer. But what is the religious ruling if someone mispronounces words—either intentionally or unintentionally? This article, citing fatwas from senior Islamic jurists and credible jurisprudential sources, addresses this question and offers key tips to ensure the correctness of prayer.
Accurate recitation of surahs, phrases, and the essential parts of prayer (such as Surah al-Hamd, Tasbihat al-Arba‘ah, and the dhikr of ruku‘ and sujud) is fundamental to the validity of prayer. Mispronunciation—especially when it alters the meaning—can affect the correctness of the prayer. For example, if the phrase "ar-Rahman ar-Rahim" (The Most Gracious, the Most Merciful) is mispronounced as "ar-Rahman ar-Rahim", the meaning could change to “the healer,” which may invalidate the prayer.
Based on the fatwas of Islamic jurists, the ruling on mispronunciation in prayer falls into two general categories: intentional and unintentional errors. Below is a detailed breakdown:
If someone deliberately mispronounces words or phrases in prayer in a way that changes their meaning or is linguistically incorrect in Arabic, the prayer is invalid and must be performed again (qada). This is agreed upon by most jurists, including Imam Khomeini (r.a.), Ayatollah Khamenei, and Ayatollah Makarem Shirazi.
As Hujjat al-Islam Mohammad Hossein Fallahzadeh, a member of the Supreme Leader’s Office for Religious Inquiries, states:
“If someone intentionally mispronounces a word, their prayer is invalid and must be repeated.”
Additionally, if someone fails to learn proper pronunciation out of negligence (known as a jaahil-e-muqassir), their prayer is, according to obligatory precaution (ihtiyat wajib), invalid.
If the mispronunciation occurs unintentionally (sahwan) or due to a lack of knowledge (jaahil-e-qaasir), the prayer remains valid and does not require repetition. However, the individual is still obligated to learn correct pronunciation for future prayers.
Ayatollah Makarem Shirazi explains:
“If someone recites a word or verse incorrectly, believing it to be correct for years, and later discovers the mistake, they do not need to repeat past prayers, although repeating them as a recommended precaution is preferred.”
For tashahhud (testimony), if there’s a minor mispronunciation or if parts are omitted unintentionally, the prayer is not invalid. However, some jurists like Ayatollah Sistani state that if one forgets tashahhud, then compensatory prostration (sujood al-sahw) is mandatory. Ayatollah Khamenei and Ayatollah Makarem Shirazi also recommend performing it as a precaution.
People who have speech impairments (like stuttering or muteness) or those who are genuinely unable to learn proper pronunciation are only required to do their best according to their capability. In such cases, their prayers are considered valid as long as they act to the best of their ability.
To ensure correct pronunciation and recitation during prayer, it’s important to follow these guidelines:
Learn correct pronunciation: Every Muslim is obligated to learn how to properly pronounce the words and phrases of prayer. This can be done through tajweed classes, online resources, or qualified instructors.
Correcting during prayer: If you notice a mistake while still in the same part (rukn) of prayer, you must repeat the word correctly. However, if you’ve moved on to the next rukn, the prayer remains valid, and no correction is necessary.
Doubting pronunciation after prayer: If you have doubts about your pronunciation after finishing the prayer, ignore the doubt—the prayer is valid.
Paying attention to guttural letters: Arabic letters pronounced from the throat (like hamzah, ha, ‘ayn, ha’, ghayn, kha’) must be pronounced correctly, as mistakes in them can alter meanings significantly.
Daily practice: Dedicate a few minutes each day to practice correct pronunciation of verses and phrases.
Use reliable resources: Utilize audio Qur'ans by expert reciters or apps that teach tajweed.
Seek expert advice: Consult a tajweed teacher or knowledgeable religious scholar to correct errors.
Pray and rely on God: Ask Allah for help in performing your acts of worship correctly and sincerely.
Correct pronunciation in prayer is of great importance, but Islam deals with this matter with mercy and ease. If mispronunciation occurs unintentionally, the prayer is not invalid. However, learning and correcting pronunciation is a personal religious duty. On the other hand, intentional mispronunciation may invalidate the prayer. By following the fatwas of religious authorities and the practical tips mentioned above, you can perform your prayers with greater confidence, precision, and peace of mind.
For more information, you can refer to authoritative jurisprudential sources such as Tawdih al-Masa’il (explanatory manuals of Islamic rulings) or the official websites of the offices of religious authorities.
