The short answer is: it depends on which school of Islamic jurisprudence (Madhab) you follow, and whether the prayer is obligatory or voluntary.
This is one of the most commonly asked questions among Muslims in the USA, particularly those who have not yet memorized much of the Quran and want to recite longer Surahs in Salah or Tarawih. Here is a clear breakdown.
The Ruling by Madhab
Different schools of Islamic Fiqh have different positions on holding a Mushaf, or a phone displaying the Quran, during prayer.
Shafi’i and Hanbali generally permit in both obligatory (Fard) and voluntary (Nafl) prayers, particularly for someone who has not memorized sufficient Quran. The physical act of holding the Mushaf or phone and looking at it does not invalidate the prayer in these schools.
Hanafi generally disliked (Makruh Tahrimi) and considered it to invalidate the prayer. The reasoning is that holding an object, looking at text, and turning pages constitutes excessive movement (Amal Kathir), which disrupts the prayer. Some later Hanafi scholars have permitted reading from a Mushaf during Tarawih when following an Imam, but the general position remains that it is best avoided.
Maliki Permissible in voluntary (Nafl) prayers, but disliked in obligatory (Fard) prayers.
Does the Same Ruling Apply to a Phone?
Scholars who permit holding a Mushaf during prayer generally extend that ruling to a phone or tablet displaying the Quran, since the text being read is the same. However, the phone itself introduces additional concerns, notifications, the nature of the device as a non-sacred object, and the distraction it may cause.
The general guidance from contemporary Islamic scholars, including those at AMJA (Assembly of Muslim Jurists of America), is that if holding a phone is permitted in your Madhab, it remains a less preferred option compared to a physical Mushaf. The distraction risk is higher with a phone.
Practical Guidance
For obligatory prayers (Fard): The majority position across all four major Madhabs leans toward avoiding holding a phone or Mushaf. If you follow the Hanafi school, which is common among Muslims in the USA with South Asian backgrounds, it is best to recite from memory only in Fard prayers.
For Tarawih and voluntary prayers, More flexibility exists across all schools. If you are following along in Tarawih and use a phone to keep pace with the Imam, this falls within the permissible range for most schools, though a physical Mushaf is preferred where possible.
The best approach overall: Invest time in memorizing more Quran so the question becomes less relevant over time. Even memorizing Juzz Amma gives you 37 Surahs to recite freely in Salah without needing a phone or book. Our Quran memorization course is designed for exactly this: building the memorization that makes Salah richer and more independent.
A Note on Intention and Focus
Regardless of the ruling you follow, Salah is a moment of direct connection with Allah SWT. Anything that reduces focus, including a phone screen, works against the spirit of Khushu (concentration in prayer) that scholars across all schools emphasise as the heart of Salah.
If using a phone in prayer is a temporary solution while you build your memorization, that is understandable. As a permanent habit, it is worth working toward not needing it.
For a deeper understanding of Salah as one of the five pillars, our 5 Pillars of Islam course and Islamic Studies course both cover the significance and correct performance of prayer in practical detail.
FAQs
Scholars who permit the Mushaf during prayer generally extend the ruling to a phone displaying the Quran. However, a phone carries a greater distraction risk and is considered less preferred even where permitted.
Most scholars who permit this in Tarawih extend it to children following along. The focus should still be on learning to memorize progressively, so dependence on the phone reduces over time.
The Hanafi position is that holding a Mushaf or phone during prayer, whether Fard or Nafl, is generally disliked and invalidates the prayer due to excessive movement. Some scholars permit it specifically during Tarawih when following an Imam, but it remains discouraged.
Memorize more of the Quran gradually. Starting with short Surahs from Juzz Amma gives you enough material for daily prayers immediately. See our post on how long it takes to memorize the Quran for a realistic starting plan.