Q: In our city, there is a good reciter of Qur'an who observes Khushu' (the heart being attuned to the act of worship) in Salah (Prayer) to whom people come from remote cities, such as Riyadh, the Eastern Region and AlBaha and others. What is the ruling on their coming to pray behind him? Is it right that they fall under the prohibition reported in the Hadith that reads, Do not set out on a journey except to three Masjids (mosques): AlMasjid AlHaram (the Sacred Mosque in Makkah), the Masjid of the Messenger (peace be upon him) (AlMasjid AlNabawy in Madinah), and AlMasjid AlAqsa (AlAqsa Mosque in Jerusalem)? Kindly guide us. May Allah reward you best.
A: We do not know of anything wrong with that; rather, this comes under setting out on a journey in quest of knowledge, and to comprehend and listen to the EverGlorious Qur'an from a good reciter. Traveling for this purpose does not fall under the prohibited setting out meant by the Hadith. Musa (Moses, peace be upon him) undertook a great journey to meet AlKhadir (peace be upon him) at the junction of the two seas seeking knowledge. Scholars among the Sahabah (Companions of the Prophet) and those who came after them used to travel all over territories and countries in quest of knowledge. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, Anyone who travels a path seeking knowledge, Allah will make easy for them a path to Jannah (Paradise). (Related by Imam Muslim in his Sahih [Authentic Hadith Book])