Question # 187: Can you write down the Tashahhud down and hold it in prayer, or you would have to learn it first?
Bismi-llahi r-raḥmani r-raḥīm,
Assalamu ‘laikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh,
All praise and thanks are due to Allah (سبحانه و تعالى), and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger (صلى الله عليه و سلم).
Dear questioner,
First of all, we implore Allah (سبحانه و تعالى) to help us serve His cause and render our work for His sake.
Shorter Answer: There is no harm to read from a paper during Tashahhud, but it is better to recite from memory, because it brings about Khushu`.
Long Answer: There is no harm if someone recites Du`a’ from a paper if they do not memorize any. They may write Du`a’ from a paper and read it at times desirable for answer, such as during or at the end of the night, etc. But, if they can memorize some, it will be better, because they will recite it with an attentive heart and with Khushu` (the heart being submissively attuned to the act of worship). As for reading it during Salah, it is better to recite it from memory and to make it short Du`a’ as much as possible. There is no harm to read from a paper during Tashahhud (a recitation in the sitting position in the second/ last unit of Prayer) or between the two prostrations but it is better to recite from memory, because it brings about Khushu`. (Fatwas of Ibn Baz; www.alifta.net)
Allahu A’lam (Allah (سبحانه و تعالى) knows best) and all Perfections belong to Allah, and all mistakes belong to me alone. May Allah (سبحانه و تعالى) forgive me, Ameen.
Wassalaam
