Ruling on following the imam’s recitation in a book in which there is a translation of the meanings of the Qur’aan

A group of brothers were getting together topray Qiyam during the
month of Ramadan, and they are mostly converts.Is it wrong for the
Imam to lead the prayer from the (arabic) Mushaf, and for them to join
him in prayer, while following with the English translation? They say
that when they do this, they can follow along and get a greater
khushu' by following along and getting the meaning.
Praise be to Allaah.
Firstly:
Following the recitation of the imam in the Mushaf is contrary to
theSunnah and is to some extent makrooh. This hasbeen explained
previously in the answers to questions nos. 52876 and 10067 .
Secondly:
With regard to followingthe imam's recitation in a book in which there
is a translation of the meanings of the Qur'aan, this requires further
discussion:
1.
If he says something from the book whilst following the imam's
recitation [i.e., moving his lips whilst reading], then his prayer is
invalid, because the translation of the meaning of the Qur'aan is
regarded as a commentary on it (tafseer), and it is not Qur'aan
according to theconsensus of the scholars and it does not come under
the same rulings as Qur'aan, so these words invalidate the prayer.
See: Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa'imah li'l-Buhooth al-'Ilmiyyah wa'l-Ifta', 4/165
2.
If it is limited to following the words by looking and thinking
without speaking, then the prayer is valid even though it is makrooh.
al-Nawawi said: "If he turns the pages sometimes during his prayer, it
is not invalidated, and if he looks at a book other than the Qur'aan
and reads that in his mind, it does not invalidate his prayer, even if
it is done for a long time, but it is makrooh.
End quote from al-Majmoo', 4/95
Al-Mardaawi said: Prayerdoes not become invalidated by looking for a
long time in a bookif he reads it in his mind,if he does not actually
utter the words, according to the correct view. ... It was narrated
from Imam Ahmad that he did that. And it was said that it does
invalidate the prayer.
End quote from al-Insaaf, 2/98
Something similar to thiswas said in Fath al-Qadeer, 1/403
Following the recitation by looking in the book and pondering the
meaning is permissible, although it is makrooh, but this description
of it being makrooh does notapply if there is a need for that, because
the basic principle accordingto the fuqaha' is that that which is
makrooh becomes permissible if there is a need.
Seeking to focus properly in prayer and understand the meaningof what
the imam is reciting is a kind of needthat makes this no longer
makrooh, because understanding the meaning of the verses is something
that is important for the person praying behind the imam, so that he
may ponder them and think of their meanings.
Something similar to thiswas stated in a fatwa by Shaykh Ibn Baaz,
that it is permissible for the person praying qiyaam al-layl behind
the imam to hold a Mushaf in which there is tafseer, and if he does
not understand a word he may look at its meaning. This was mentioned
in the answer to question number 9505 .
But what is better than that is to strive to learn Arabic and learn
the HolyQur'aan and its meanings, so that it will be easy for you to
ponder it and focus properly in prayer, and you will not need to carry
this book and look at it whilst praying.
And Allah knows best.