◊assalamu aleykum. my question regards reciting in the fard Salah(prayers). we are required to follow the principles of tajweed when we are reciting in beautifying the voice . what is the case in prayers where the imaam, during the maghrib, isha or fajr prayers recites verses from the quran in MUjawwad form, that is. for example how sheikh abdul basit reads. the imam reads maybe only two ayaah from the quran but in the most sweetest voice and makes them long.is it permissible to read in that form during the salah? baraakallahu fiikum

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His Slave and Messenger.

The majority of scholars are of the opinion that reading parts of the Quran after Al-Faatihah in the first two Rak‘ahs is recommended. It is better to read full Surahs, but reading some Aayahs (verses) is also permissible.

On the other hand, it is recommended for the Imaam to beautify his voice when reciting the Quran as long as he observes the rules of Tajweed (the art of correct recitation of the Quran). Abu Hurayrah reported that the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said, "He who does not recite the Quran in a pleasant tone is not of us." [Al-Bukhari]

However, this helps the praying people (behind the Imaam) to be humble and have a conscious heart during the prayer. Nevertheless, exaggeration in this regard is disliked, or even prohibited if it reaches an extent that changes the short vowels to long ones or alters the meaning.

As for imitating a famous reciter, it is permissible as we explained in Fatwa 84782.

Allaah Knows best.