Question:
When I recite at-Tashahhud slowly, the Imam finishes and gives salam before I complete it. Prayer becomes difficult for me. What should I do?
Answer:
From the way the question is framed, it appears that the person may have a natural difficulty — some people have learning or speech processing difficulties. Even adults may read very slowly, slowly syllable by syllable. It is not intentional; it is a limitation in creation.
Some people cannot recite quickly no matter how much they memorize. Even Alhamdulillahi Rabbil ‘Alamin” cannot be recited smoothly. It is not deliberate; it is a natural weakness.
If such a person starts at-Tashahhud and the Imam gives salam before he finishes, what should he do? Consider a mute person. If a mute person joins prayer, can he recite verbally? He cannot. Does Allahﷻhold him accountable for verbal recitation? No. Allahﷻaccepts according to ability. Allahﷻquestions according to one’s capacity.
So, if you truly cannot recite fast due to limitation, recite as much as you can. If the Imam gives salam, you give salam. That is sufficient. If you want to gain the 27-fold reward of congregation, that is why you join jama‘ah. But if your recitation takes much longer — for example, the Imam finishes four rak‘ahs in ten minutes but you need thirty minutes — you may choose to pray alone to complete properly.
The choice is yours. Weak people are not questioned like strong people. Allahﷻdoes not give weakness and then question as if you had no weakness. So, either:
- Follow the Imam and accept that you will not complete everything fully, or
- Pray alone and complete at your pace.
Both are your decision based on your ability.