{"_id":"681d12a0eefa4cf39be99964","title":"{\"ops\":[{\"insert\":\"How should we view Qur'an tours done by reciters? Is one's prayer valid behind an Imam that does excessive Ghunna?\\n\"}]}","question":"{\"ops\":[{\"insert\":\"There is a qari who frequently gets invited to various communities to recite Qur'an. Organizations sell tickets to these events and they're referred to as \\\"Qur'an tours.\\\" My Qur'an teacher said that this qari is harmfully innovating Qur'an recitation by distorting the tajweed and adding excessive ghunna, and that people should not listen to him. Should I advise people against attending such events and discourage the local masajid from inviting him and holding similar events? If he leads salah, should I pray elsewhere, having been told that he distorts the recitation?\\n\"}]}","answer":"{\"ops\":[{\"insert\":\"Unfortunately, there is a widespread trend of commercializing religion, where Qur’an and speaking \\\"tours\\\" have become the norm, centered around charismatic individuals rather than meaningful, local engagement. This model prioritizes large-scale events and mass appeal over grassroots efforts that foster real, personal connections and lasting change. Instead of focusing on entertainment and temporary spiritual highs, we need a serious commitment to disseminating authentic, beneficial knowledge that builds deep understanding and long-term spiritual growth.\\n\\nWe have created a generation of addicts—itching for the next emotional fix but devoid of the basic knowledge that truly anchors faith. This is not the way forward. What we need instead are local, sustainable efforts that prioritize substance over spectacle, depth over numbers, and transformation over momentary inspiration.\\n\\nWith this understanding, it becomes clear that the issue is larger than any one reciter. Therefore, as a general principle, these types of events should be discouraged, regardless of whether the reciter makes mistakes or not. As to whether you should publicly criticize this person, I would advise you to refrain from doing that. Instead, do your best to reach out to him and advise him directly. Our focus should be on changing these global trends, rather than focusing on individuals. If he leads salah, his Qur’an recitation is valid as long as he does not distort the recitation in a way that alters the meaning. An excessive ghunna would not distort the meaning, therefore praying behind him is valid.\\n\\nMay Allah guide us to efforts that bring true and lasting benefit.\\n\"}]}","tags":[{"_id":"668d9fef0b76658b4c232985","tag":"Salah: Validity","count":156},{"_id":"668d9fe40b76658b4c23283a","tag":"Contemporary Life: Other","count":137},{"_id":"668d9fe60b76658b4c232875","tag":"Salah: Congregational","count":92},{"_id":"668d9fef0b76658b4c232988","tag":"Quran: Other","count":56},{"_id":"668da0120b76658b4c232d5e","tag":"Contemporary Life: Social Media","count":26}],"createdOn":"2025-05-08T20:22:56.994Z"}