Islam >> "JAMA'AT" (CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER)

Q 1. What about offering prayer five times a day with Jama'at?
A. Offering prayer with Jama'at (congregation) is "Waajib" (essential) for every sane and mature male believer provided that he faces no trouble in reaching the mosque. The one who forgoes congregation without any "Shar'i" reason is "Faasiq" (transgressor, disobedient) and his evidence is also unacceptable. He deserves severe punishment and his neighbours will also be sinner if they acquiesce in his sin.

Q 2. What about Jama'at for "Jumu'ah", "Eid", "Taraawih" and "Witr" prayers?
A. Jama'at is must (an obligatory condition) for Jumu'ah and Eid prayers and "Sunnat Kifaayah" (if performed by a few Muslims all will be relieved of the obligation otherwise all will be held responsible) for Taraawih prayer.
Jama'at is "Mustahab" (commendable act) for "Witr" prayer in the holy month of "Ramadaan" and Sunnat for the prayer of solar eclipse.

Q 3. Is congregational prayer (Jama'at) essential for women?
A. It is impermissible for women (young or old) to offer any prayer in Jama'at irrespective of day or night or Jumu'ah and Eid prayers. Likewise, they can not attend "Waz" (preaching gatherings). However, some Muslim scholars have now allowed it in view of growing outing of women in markets and other places.

Q 4. In which conditions can Jama'at be abandoned?
A. Following are the excuses to forgo Jama'at:
(1).Torrential rain, (2) heavy mud all around, (3) intensely cold, (4)pitch darkness, (5) hurricane, (6) apprehension of the loss of valuables/belongings or (7) food, (8) fear of creditor when one is penniless, (9) fear of tyrant or an oppressor,(10) intense need to defecate, (11) to urinate or (12) to break wind, (13) one is extremely hungry and food is being served, (14) one apprehends to miss the caravan if he joins Jama'at, (15) tending the sick who may suffer and feel nervous if left alone.

Q 5. Which people are permitted not to go to mosque for Jama'at?
A. The people who are permitted not to go to mosque to join Jama'at are: (l).The sick who finds it hard to reach mosque,(2) invalid,cripple,(3)the one whose foot is amputated, (4)paralysed,(5)so old one that he can not go to mosque,(6)blind,even there is one to take him to mosque and (7) an immature who is not bound to join Jama'at.

Q 6. What are the blessings and benefits of offering prayer with Jama'at?
A. An "Hadees" to this effect says: the prayer offered with Jama'at carries twenty-seven-times more reward than the prayer offered individually. Another Hadees says: the believer who offers prayer five times a day with Jama'at and also finds Takbir-e-Ulaa for forty days consecutively for the sake of Allah, is freed from the torment of hell and "Nifaaq" (hypocrisy).
In addition to these great advantages the congregational prayer (Jama'at) also develops harmony and unity among the Muslims, acquaints them with "Shar'i" affairs, issues, provides an opportunity to know about the problems and distress faced by the neighbours, to meet and enjoy the blessings of the pious and saintly people and expectation of the acceptance of prayer by the means of these loved ones of Allah, to know about the plight of the poor and needy people, imbues believers with the spirit of worship, inclines them towards Allah Almighty and keeps them away from the worldly evils and vices till such time they are in Jama'at and so on and so forth.

Q 7. How to stand in Jama'at?
A. Muqtadis (followers) should form rows and stand shoulder to shoulder leaving no gap between them and an individual should stand beside the Imaam on the right side. His feet should be abreast of Imaam (not forward). It is Makrooh for an individual to stand behind or on the left side of the Imaam. Rows should be arranged in such way that the first row consists of men and the second of children. If there is only one child, he should be drawn up in the men's row. The Imaam should stand ahead of his Muqtadis in the centre. It is against Sunnah to stand on the right or left side to lead prayer.
The one who is superior to all Muqtadis in the Jama'at should stand just behind the Imaam in the first row.

Q 8. What about standing in the rear row when there is room in the front row?
A. It is Makrooh to stand in the rear row when there is room in the front row to stand in. If one finds room in the first row while the second is full, he should reach the first row making his way thereto through the second row and stand there. An Hadees gives the glad tidings of absolution to the believer who does so. However, it should be kept in mind that such action may kick up a row due to lack of Islaamic knowledge among Muslims. So it should be done where people understand "Shar'i" issues, affairs.

Q 9. Which things a Muqtadi should not do if Imaam does not?
A. There are five things which a Muqtadi should not do if Imaam leaves those and follow the Imaam i.e. (1).Takbirs of Eid prayer,(2) Qa'adah Ulaa, (3) Sajdah Tilaawat, (4) Sajdah Sahv and (5) Du'aa-e-Qunoot if he fears to miss Rukoo otherwise complete it. As for Qa'adah Ulaa, Muqtadi should prompt (point out the mistake) if Imaam forgets to observe Qa'adah Ula and has not yet stood erect so that he may return to perform it. In case the Imaam has stood upright then Muqtadi should not prompt him but instead follow him otherwise his prayer will be vitiated.

Q10. Which things a Muqtadi should not do if Imaam does?
A. There are four things in which a Muqtadi should not follow the Imaam if he does i.e.(1).Observance of any "Rukn" (essential) more than the prescribed number like performance of two Rukoo and three Sujood in a Rakah or (2) utterance of more Takbirs than sixteen in Eid prayer or (3) saying five Takbirs in funeral prayer or (4) standing up by mistake for the fifth Rakah after Qa'adah Akheera. In this case, if Imaam returns without completing the fifth Rakah, Muqtadi should follow him and complete the prayer with the observance of Sajdah Sahv and if all followed the Imaam and performed Sajdah of the fifth Rakah then the prayer of all inclusive of Imaam will be vitiated.

Q 11. Which things a Muqtadi should observe if Imaam abandons those?
A. The following things should be observed by Muqtadi if Imaam abandons those:(l).Lifting the hands for Takbir-e-Tahreemah, (2) recitation of "Sana" (if Imaam is still reciting Surah Faatehah that too in soft voice), (3) Takbiraat-e-Intiqaal (Takbirs of Rukoo and Sujood), (4) Tasbihaat(remembrance of Allah as prescribed) of Rukoo and Sujood, (5) Tasmee i.e. "Sami Allaa Huleman Hamedah", (6) Tashah-hud, (7) saying Salaam turning the face to both sides, (8) utterance of Takbiraat-e-Tashreeq (which are recited loudly after every obligatory prayer from the Fajr prayer of 9th Zil-Hijj to the Asr prayer of 13th Zil-Hijj).

Q12. What should one do who is offering obligatory prayer himself and in the meanwhile Jama'at is established?
A. If one has just begun his obligatory prayer by himself (individually) or has completed one Rakah of Fajr or Maghrib prayer and in the meantime Jama'at is established there, he should immediately abandon his prayer and join the Jama'at and in case he has observed Sajdah of the second Rakah then he should complete the prayer. As for four Rakah prayer, he should complete two Rakahs if has offered one or is offering the second Rakah and then join the Jama'at. The said two Rakahs offered by him will be counted as Nafl prayer. And in case he has offered three Rakahs then he should not give up his prayer but complete all (four) Rakahs and thereafter join Jama'at with the intention of Nafl prayer. Thus he will gain the reward of Jama'at. However, he can not do so in Asr prayer as after Asr "Nafl" prayer is not lawful.

Q13. What injunction is there for one who is offering Sunnat or Nafl prayer and in the meantime Jama'at is established?
A. If he has begun Nafl prayer and in the meanwhile Jama'at is established then he should not abandon his prayer but complete two Rakahs and in case he is offering the third Rakah then he should complete four Rakahs to join the Jama'at. And in case, he has begun Sunnat prayer of Jumu'ah and Zuhr and in the meantime either "Khutbah" (sermon) is commenced or Jama'at is established he should complete the prayer and then join the Jama'at.

Q14. How to break prayer under intense need?
A. It is Haraam (unlawful) to break prayer unless there is a valid excuse. However, under intense need one can break prayer in standing posture (no need to sit down) saying Salaam (turning his face to the right side).

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Islam >> "IMAAMAT" (LEADING THE PRAYER)

Q 1. What is meant by "Imaamat"?
A. "Imaamat" means chieftainship,leadership and leader is called "Imaam". Imaamat of "Salaat"(prayer) means attachment of prayer of a "Muqtadi"(follower) to the prayer of "Imaam" with some conditions. An Hadees in this context says that Imaam is responsible for the prayer of his "Muqtadis". It means that Imaam is wholly responsible for the prayer offered well or deficient by his Muqtadis under his leadership. It is naivety and lack of "Shar'i" knowledge to ask every bearded man to lead prayer. The "Shari'ah" envisages some conditions for Imaamat which every Imaam must possess.

Q 2. What are the conditions for Imaamat?
A. There are six conditions for Imaam provided he is not disabled: (1). He ought to be Muslim, (2) mature or of full 15 years if there is no apparent sign of maturity, (3) sane, (4) male, (5) he must know "Qiraa-at" to such an extent that the prayer led by him is in order and (6) free from disability i.e. he should not suffer from such a disease that renders him unable to lead the prayer.

Q 3. Under whose leadership is prayer "Makrooh Taimhi"?
A. Offering prayer under leadership of slave, rustic, blind, bastard, smartly handsome teenager (whose beard and moustache are not yet visible), leper, leuco derma-affected person whom people abhor and gullible, who is easily deceived in shopping, is "Makrooh Tanzihi" i.e. to offer prayer under their leadership is against decency and no matter if offered. In case these people are in greater know of "Salaat" and "Tahaarah" (matters, issues of prayer and cleanliness) and one better than such is not available then they deserve to lead prayer without any undesirability. There is very slight abhorrence in "Imaamat" of a blind provided that he is mindful of "Taharah".

Q 4. Under whose leadership is prayer "Makrooh Tahreemi"?
A. Offering prayer under the leadership of those who have wrong beliefs (not to the extent of infidelity), "Faasiq-e-Mo'lin" (he who commits major sins openly) like drunkard, gambler, fornicator, usurer, back-biter, the one who shaves his beard or trims or does not keep as prescribed by the "Shari'ah", watcher of dance and music programme, he who describes Hadrat Moula Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) superior to "Shaikhain" (Hadrat Abu Bakr Siddique and Hadrat 'Umar Farooq [may Allah be pleased with them]) or he who speaks ill of the Prophet's companions Hadrat Ameer Mu'aawiyah and Hadrat Abu Musa Ash'ari (may Allah be pleased with them), is Makrooh Tahreemi i.e. all prayers if offered under the leadership of such wicked persons will have to be repeated. However, "Jumu'ah" and "Eid" prayers may be offered under the leadership of a heretic and wicked Imaam with undesirability at such place where "Jumu'ah" and "Eid" prayers are held at the same place and that a pious Imaam is not available.

Q 5. Under whose leadership is prayer invalid?
A. Offering prayer under the leadership of one who recites the Holy Qur-aan so incorrectly that its meaning is distorted or he does not perform ablution or takes bath properly or denies any of essentials of Islaamic faith i.e. his wrong beliefs have touched infidelity or he denies the intercession of the Holy Prophet or "Deedaar-e-Ilaahi" (the Splendid Sight of Allah) or torment of grave or "Kiraaman Kaatibeen" (angels recording good and evil deeds of man), is absolutely invalid, for, prayer of such accursed person is no prayer what to talk of offering prayer under his leadership. Even Jumu'ah and Eid prayers under him are invalid.

Q 6. What are the conditions for "Iqtidaa"?
A. "Iqtidaa" means to follow or attach one's prayer to the prayer of Imaam. There are thirteen conditions for it: (1). Muqtadi intends for Iqtidaa, (2) to form intention with "Takbir-e-Tahreemah" or before it provided no such word is said or action done between the intention and Takbir-e-Tahreemah that is alien to prayer, (3) Imaam and Muqtadi must be within the same place, ground or field, (4) the prayer of Imaam and Muqtadi must be the same or Imaam's prayer should be superior to that of Muqtadi's, (5) Imaam's prayer must be right according to Muqtadi's Mazhab (creed) and (6) both of them must consider it right as per their respective creed, (7) woman must not be beside man in row (there are some exceptions in this regard), (8) Muqtadi should not precede Imaam, (9) to be in the know of Imaam's performance of "Rukn" (standing, bowing,prostration etc) by seeing or through other way, (l0) Muqtadi should know whether the Imaam is resident or traveller, be it even after the prayer is over, (11) to participate in every "Rukn" like him or less than him, (13) Muqtadi must not exceed Imaam in respect of the conditions of prayer.

Q 7. Can an immature be made Imaam for "Taraawih" prayer or not?
A. An immature lad can not lead prayer of mature believers even funeral prayer or "Taraawih" or "Nail" prayer. However, he can lead prayer of immature lads provided that he is sensible.

Q 8. Who is more deserving of Imaamat (leading prayer)?
A. The most deserving of Imaamat (leading prayer) is the believer who is in the greatest know of the matters,issues of prayers and purification (cleanliness) provided that he has committed such a quantity of the Holy Qur-aan to his memory that he could do "Masnoon Qiraa-at" and also recite correctly. He should not have wrong beliefs and should keep himself away from shameful and all those acts which are repugnant todecency.

Thereafter the one who is most versed in "Qiraa-at" and recites accordingly then he who is most pious i.e. even avoids doubtful things what to think of "Haraam" (unlawful), then the most aged, then the one who possesses best manners and then he who is regular in offering "Tahajjud" (late night supererogatory prayer) and if some persons are equal in these qualities then the one who is the best according to Shari'ah or he who is chosen by the "Jama'at (congregation) should be assigned to lead prayer.

However, if there is an appointed Imaam in any mosque or at any place then this Imaam is most deserving of leading prayer notwithstanding the fact that others are more versed in Islaamic knowledge and "Tajveed" (distinct and excellent recitation of the Qur-aanic verses). The said Imaam must fulfill all the conditions of "Imaamat" otherwise he is not worthy of leading prayer.

Q 9. What about the "Imaamat" of that person with whom people are displeased?
A. It is "Makrooh Tahreemi" for the one to lead prayer with whom people are displeased owing to any "Shar'i" reason. If there is no such reason, he should be made Imaam particularly when he is "Ahaq"(most deserving).

Q10. Can a disabled be Imaam of disabled persons and an "Ummi" (illiterate) of illiterate people or not?
A. A disabled (who is suffering from such a disease that he can not keep up his ablution even for an obligatory prayer) can lead prayer of his likes or more disabled but can not lead prayer of those who are less disabled than him.

In case, the Imaam and Muqtadi have separate disability like one suffers from flatulence whereas the other's nose bleeds then they can not lead prayer of each other.

An "Ummi" (illiterate) who lias no Qur-aanic verse in his memory or has memorised but can not recite correctly i.e. renders the meaning corrupt, can lead prayer of "Ummis" but can not be Imaam of "Qaari" i.e. he who can recite the Holy Qur-aan correctly to the extent of"Fard" that is a small verse. Likewise, if he leads prayer of Ummi and Qaari though the Qaari joined Jama'at after it was established, their prayer will not be valid.

Q11. Who is called "Muqtadi" and how many kinds of it are there?
A. The one who follows Imaam in prayer is called "Muqtadi" and there are four kinds of it:(1)."Mudrik" the one who followed the Imaam (joined prayer) from the first "Rakah" upto "Tashah-hud", (2) "Laa Haq" he who joined prayer in the first Rakah but afterwards his all or certain Rakah(s) was(were) vitiated due to any excuse or without excuse, (3) "Masbooq" the one who joined Imaam (Jama'at) after some Rakahs and remained in the Jama'at till it was over, (4) "Laa Haq Masbooq" he who missed earlier Rakah(s) and joined Imaam in the remaining one(s) but went "Laa Haq" later i.e. the prayer offered by him was vitiated.

Q12. What injunction for "Laa Haq" is there?
A. The injunction for "Laa Haq" is the same as is for "Mudrik" i.e. he will neither do "Qiraa-at" nor "Sajda Sahv" for any shortcoming or forgetfulness in prayer while offering his vitiated prayer. He should not join "Jama'at" again but should offer his vitiated prayer individually after the Jama'at is over and first say the vitiated Rakah (s) and then the remaining one(s). In case, he again joined Jama'at and offered the vitiated Rakah (s) after the Imaam has said "Salaam", the prayer would be in order but he would be sinner.

Q13. What injunction for "Masbooq" is there?
A. The "Masbooq" who missed one or more Rakah(s) should join Jama'at and complete his prayer after the Imaam has said "Salaam". The rules for "Munfarid" (individual) are applicable to him for the purpose of offering missed Rakah (s). He should do Qiraa-at in the missed Rakah and recite "Sana" (if could not recite earlier) and also recite "Ta'awuz" and "Tasmiyah" prior to Qiraa-at. Also observe Sajda Sahv if any shortcoming or forgetfulness is committed during the performance of missed Rakah(s). The observance of the first missed Rakah will not be taken as first in respect of "Tashah-hud" but as second or third or fourth as the case may be. For instance, he joins the last Rakah of the four Rakahs prayer and stands up to complete his prayer after the Jama'at is over, this missed Rakah which he offers now by himself is the first in regard to Qiraa-at but for the purpose of Tashah'hud it is the second. So he should complete this Rakah reciting "Surah Faateha" and any other Surah (Qiraa-at) and sit in "Qa'adah". Thereafter he should stand erect for the next(third) Rakah in which he should recite Surah Fateha and any other Surah and do not sit now in Qa'adah but stand up for the last (fourth) Rakah. In this posture, he should recite only Surah Faatehah and after performing "Rukoo" and "Sujood" he should observe "Qa'ada Akheera"in which he should recite Tashah-hud etc. and finish the prayer saying Salaam. "Masbooq" should not stand up immediately after the first Salaam is said by the Imaam but should wait a bit to ensure that Imaam is not due to observe Sajdah Sahv.

Q14. What injunction for "Masbooq" is there in case he says Salaam with the Imaam?
A. Prayer will not be in order if "Masbooq" says Salaam with the Imaam intentionally considering that he has to say Salaam with the Imaam and if it is done by mistake and that too after the Imaam has said Salaam then the prayer will be in order but he will have to observe Sajdah Sahv on completing his prayer as per the rules. And in case, he does it just with the Imaam (by mistake) then he does not need to do Sajdah Sahv but should stand up to complete his prayer.

Q15. What should "Masbooq" do if the Imaam observes Sajdah Sahv after he has stood up?
A. "Masbooq" who stands up immediately after the Imaam has said first Salaam without waiting a while to know as to whether the Imaam has to do Sajdah Sahv or not, should return to join the Imaam in Sajdah Sahv, provided that he has not completed his individual Rakah and performed Sajdah in the meanwhile, and then complete his remaining prayer as per the rules. What error he has committed in the given situation is not countable. And in case, he does not return to join the Imaam in Sajdah Sahv and complete his remaining prayer, then he should perform Sajdah Sahv at the end of prayer by himself and if he has done Sajdah of his indiviDu'aal Rakah then he should not come back to join the Imaam in Sajdah Sahv because it will nullify the prayer.

Islam >> REMAINING REGULATIONS OF QIRAA-AT

Q 1. Is there any particular quantity of Qiraa-at for any prayer?
A. Qiraa-at (recitation from the Holy Qur-aan) of a small verse comprising two or more words fulfills "Fard" (obligatory act) of prayer and recitation of Surah Fateha followed by a small Surah (Qur-aanic chapter) or three small verses or one or two verse(s) which is/ are equal to three small verses in length fulfills "Waajib" (essential act). No more Qiraa-at than this is essential in any prayer whether it is "Fard" or "Nafl" but is "Masnoon"(commendable act).

Q 2. How much Qiraa-at is Masnoon in obligatory prayers?
A. Recitation of "Surah Burooj" (Zodiacal signs) or the likes in "Fajr" and "Zuhr" prayers, smaller than these in "Asr" and '"Ishaa" and small Surah of "Qisaar-e-Mufassal" in "Maghrib" prayer is Sunnat during journey there is peace and one is in no hurry. In case of stay, recitation of "Tiwaal-e-Mufassal" in "Fajr" and "Zuhr", "Ausaat-e-Mufassal" in "Asr" and '"Ishaa" and "Qisaar-e-Mufassal" in "Maghrib" prayer is Sunnat provided the time is not running out. These injunctions are applicable to Imaam and an individual as well.

Q 3. What are "Tiwaal-e-Mufassal", "Ausaat-e-Mufassal" and "Qisaar-e-Mufassal"?
A. Qur-aanic chapters from Surah Hujuraat (the appartment) [part-26] to the last are called "Mufassil" which consists of three portions i.e. Tiwaal-e-Mufassal (from Surah Hujuraat to Surah Burooj), Ausaat-e-Mufassal (from Surah Burooj to Lam Yakunil (Surah Bayinah) and "Qisaar-e-Mufassal" (from Surah Bayinah to the last Surah Naas).

Q 4. What injunction is there about leaving "Qiraa-at Masnoonah" due to any pressing need?
A. One may give up "Qiraa-at Masnoonah" in worry like the prescribed time of prayer is running out or there is fear of enemy or thief etc. and make recitation from the Holy Qur-aan as warranted by the situation irrespective of journey and stay and even leave "Waajibaat" (essential acts). For instance, Fajr time is running out and there is so short time left that he can not recite many verses but only one in each Rakah then he should immediately do it. However, the prayer should be repeated after the Sun has fully risen. Or he has begun Sunnat prayer of Fajr and now he apprehends to miss Jama'at then he should observe only "Waajibaat" and give up "Sana" and "Ta'awuz" and recite "Tasbih" only once in Rukoo and Sujood.

Q 5. Can Qiraa-at Masnoonah be prolonged or not?
A. Qiraa-at Masnoonah can be prolonged provided that it does not cause inconvenience to "Muqtadis" (followers) otherwise not. An Hadees in this context says: the one who leads prayer must care about his "Muqtadis" which include the sick, the weak and the aged (i.e. not to prolong Qiraa-at but be brief) and may prolong Qiraa-at when he offers his individual prayer.

Q 6. Should Qiraa-at be equal in every Rakah or less and more?
A. Prolongation of Qiraa-at in the first Rakah of Fajr prayer in comparison to the second Rakah is "Masnoon" and its quantity is fixed as two-third in first Rakah and one-third in second Rakah. It is better to do more Qiraa-at in the first Rakah of other prayers including Jumu'ah and Eid prayers than the second Rakah and in Sunnat and Nafl prayers equal Surahs be recited in both Rakahs.

Q 7. What about more Qiraa-at in second Rakah than the first Rakah?
A. It is "Makrooh" to prolong Qiraa-at in second Rakah compared to the first Rakah when the verses of both Surahs are equal in number and that the prolongation of Qiraa-at is by three verses. And if the verses of Surahs are small and large then total number of the verses will not be countable but letters and words. It is odious if there is much disparity between the words and letters of the two Surahs though the verses are equal in number, otherwise not. For example, it is odious if "Alam Nashrah" (Surah Al-Inshirah) is recited in the first Rakah and "Lam Yakunil" (Surah Bayinah) in second Rakah though both the Surahs consist of eight verses respectively.

Q 8. What about determination of any particular Surah for any prayer for ever?
A. Determination of Surahs that such and such Surah has to be necessarily recited in so and so prayer is "Makrooh". However, those Surahs whose recitation in prayers is proved by "Ahaadees" should be recited occasionally but not regularly to earn blessings so that others may not get an impression of its being "Waajib".

Q 9. What is Qiraa-at Masnoonah in Sunnats of Fajr prayer and Witr?
A. The Holy Prophet Hadrat Muhammad Mustafa (may Allah's choicest blessings & peace be upon him) generally recited "Surah Kaafiroon" in the first Rakah of Sunnat of Fajr prayer and "Surah Ikhlaas" in second Rakah and in Witr "Surah 'Alaa" or "Surah Qadr" in the first Rakah, "Surah Kaafiroon" in second and "Surah Ikhlaas" in third Rakah. Similarly, recitation of "Surah 'Alaa" in the first Rakah of Jumu'ah and Eid prayers and "Surah Ghaashiyah" in second Rakah is Sunnat. However, this all is exempt from the rule expounded above.

Q10. What about anti-serial-wise recitation of the Holy Qur-aan?
A. Anti-serial-wise recitation of Qur-aanic Surahs like one recites Surah "Kaafiroon" in the first Rakah and "Alam Tara Kaiefa" (Surah Feil) in second Rakah is "Makrooh". However, if he started reciting any prior Surah in second Rakah forgetfully and afterwards he realised his mistake, then he should complete the Surah even though he recited only a word from it.

Q11. What about repeating only one Surah in prayer?
A. Repetition of one Surah in both Rakahs of prayer is "Makrooh Tanzihi" if there is no disability,helplessness otherwise it is not undesirable. For instance, one started reciting the same Surah in second Rakah by mistake which he had recited in the first Rakah or he could not recall any other Surah or he recited the last Surah i.e. "Naas" in the first Rakah. In such situation he should recite the same Surah in second Rakah too.
However, in Nafl prayer repetition of one Surah in both Rakahs or repetition of the same Surah in one Rakah is lawful without any undesirability.

Q12. What about dropping Surah from in-between?
A. Skipping from any Surah (recited in the first Rakah) to another (for reciting in second Rakah) dropping a small Surah in-between is "Makrooh". However, it is not undesirable if the dropped Surah is larger than the Surah recited in the first Rakah like Surah "Qadr" can be recited after Surah "Teen" as Surah "Ikhlaas" must be recited after Surah "Nasr".

Q13. What are the excellences of the recitation of Glorious Qur-aan?
A. There are myriad of excellences of reciting and teaching the Glorious Qur-aan. Briefly, it may be understood that it is "Kalaam Allah" (Speech,word of Allah) and Islaamic faith and its commands are founded on it. Its recitation and reflection, meditation and research in it leads man to Allah Almighty. This Holy Book is not only a peerless agglomeration of all knowledge and sciences but its each and every word and letter is also a source of Divine blessings and favours.

The Holy Prophet Hadrat Muhammad Mustafa(may Allah's choicest blessings & peace be upon him) said to this effect:
1. Recite the Holy Qur-aan because it will intercede for its reciters on the Doomsday.
2. The recitation of a letter of the Qur-aan earns reciter ten goodnesses.
3. Allah Almighty says I bless him with more excellent things who is so occupied with the recitation of Holy Qur-aan and remembering of Me as to spare no time to implore Me for anything than those who ask.
4. The house in which the Qur-aan is recited is so bright for the inmates of the heavens as are the stars for dwellers of the world.
5. Illuminate your houses with "Salaat"(prayer) and Qur-aan.
6. The recitation of the Holy Qur-aan is the best worship done by my Ummah.
7. The best among you is he who learnt and taught the Holy Qur-aan.

Q14: Which important points should one keep in mind while reciting the Holy Qur-aan?
A. The chief objective of reciting the Holy Qur-aan is to read/recite it by considering and understanding its meaning. This illumines the heart. While reciting the verses regarding "Amr-o-Nahi"(commands and prohibitions) one should resolve in the heart to follow the "commands" and beg forgiveness for the sins and faults he committed in the past. On reciting the verse about "mercy" he should express his delight and seek Allah's mercy and on the verse relating to "torment" he should be afraid and seek refuge with Allah. One should read/recite the Holy Qur-aan with all his heart so that he feels moved and tears come from his eyes.
To laugh, trifle or look to any fun or any indecent thing during the recitation of the Holy Qur-aan or to break its recitation for speaking to anyone is "Makrooh". It is also forbidden to adopt the Holy Qur-aan as a source of income or profession.

Q15: Is it lawful or not to recite Holy Qur-aan in walking and lying position?
A. The Holy Qur-aan can be recited (from memory not looking to the text) in lying posture provided the feet are shrivelled (not stretched) and the face is also not covered. Likewise, it can also be recited in walking and working position with the condition that the heart (attention) is not distracted otherwise it is "Makrooh".