Reading the Qur.aan in congregation
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Question: What is the ruling regarding reading the Qur.aan in congregation especially on the day of Jumu'ah (Friday) before the imaam arrives?

Response: All Praise is for Allaah, the One, and prayers and salutations upon His Messenger, his family and his companions. To proceed: This is not permissible as specifying the day of Imaam (for this act), before the imaam arrives, is an innovation.

And with Allaah lies all success and may Allaah send prayers and salutations upon our Prophet (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam) and his family and his companions.

The Permanent Committee for Islaamic Research and Fataawa
al-Bid'u wal-Muhdathaat wa maa laa Asla lahu - Page 562;
Fataawa al-Lajnah ad-Daa.imah lil-Buhooth al-'Ilmiyyah wal-Iftaa. - Question 11 of Fatwa No. 6364